Do I Dare Try This Again?

I have started this post a few times over the last month, but how in the world do you come back after almost a year of silence? It is not easy that is for sure. I want to make all these promises to do better, but I honestly don’t have enough faith in me to do such a thing. What calls me back is knowing all the sweet moments I shared with my family…moments I was sure I would remember but now have been forgotten. The timely moments where God has changed my course of direction…the little ones, I barely recognized, but now wish I had a better account. Then there are the big moments I have scribbled on a post-it note and still hope to record on here eventually…maybe…hopefully…

Here is a quick update on some of what has been going on the last year…
In June, I was forced to trust God in new ways as Shawn headed out on his first mission trip. God’s presence was tangible in my home and I learned so much… so did he. In October, Shawn headed out for a two week business trip and I expected the same peace that had accompanied me the last time he was gone, but instead this time I felt so alone. God began a work on me while Shawn was gone and still isn’t finished yet. It has been one of the most painful experiences in my walk with Him this far, but I am holding on…knowing it will be worth it.

God has reignited my passion for missions and it was a frustrating few months before I begin to see a reason why. He took me all the way to Houston over a weekend before I finally surrendered and received clear direction of what He wants next. Maybe I will share more of that someday. I am still busy with the women’s ministry at church and organizing the Bible studies. It is passion I don’t think I will ever get out of my system.

Shawn and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary this year and I have been amazed at him more lately than ever. He worked so hard this past year to support our family and he did so very well. These last few months, he “supporting me” has taken a different direction. I can hardly talk about it without tears. I am so thankful he is mine.

Summer is quite the little lady. She is definitely her own person and very Ok with her uniqueness. She rarely picks up a toy to play, but will spend her time on crafts, electronics or reading. She loves helping me in the kitchen. She takes social to a whole new level. Never wanting to be alone, she follows me around doing her own thing but carrying on an almost grown up conversation in the process. Her wisdom and maturity amaze me. Love that girl!

Connor, as active as ever, always keeps me on my toes. He doesn’t sit still for a minute and never has enough time in the day to play. Superheroes or cars occupies most of his time. His toys are his prized possessions, yet he has a huge heart. He will do almost anything for his sisters or me and do it cheerfully. The most amazing prayers come out of his little mouth. God has big plans for that little man, I just know it.

Chloe is near perfect sweetness. That little girl loves anything alive and has the most nurturing spirit I have ever witnessed in a little one. She is my constant companion throughout the day and I enjoy her so much it scares me sometimes. We clean together, run errands together, play together. Don’t even talk about her going to school…EVER!

So maybe I will be back to share more tomorrow…or maybe next week…or next month…but hopefully before next year.

Bad Mom, Good Girl

Last night we had some friends over and while they were still here I headed up stairs to put the kids to bed. It was a little later than usual, but not too late.

Summer and Connor always go to bed first. One, because they have school the next day. And two, because through trial and error we have learned that bedtime goes much smoother with Chloe out of the picture. Somehow, Chloe - who loves bedtime herself - also loves to keep her brother and sister awake. There will be giggling, playing, who knows what when Chloe is up there. Without her...silence in a matter of seconds.

So just like any other night, Chloe got ready for bed but headed downstairs with me.

She was sitting on my lap while I visited with our friends. At some point she started squirming to get down and I let her, but didn't pay much attention to what she did next (bad mom). Some time goes by and one of our guests asks, "Where did Chloe go? Did she put herself to bed? Does she always do that?"

I jumped up and looked around - sure enough no Chloe (bad bad mom).

"She doesn't EVER do that...but if someone was going to...it would be her."

I head up stairs to check. My heart melts as I find her in her bed, covered and sleeping soundly. (what a good girl) My heart was sad that she had made the trek upstairs without me.

Maybe it was more sad that she didn't need me.

At the very same time, I couldn't help but smile. What a special girl we have! Her sweetness just keeps amazing me!

Soccer Game!

Summer played soccer this fall. She loved it! She did really well and both her and Connor want to play this spring. Here are some pics...
This was our first time playing with "Upward". I so impressed! They had memory verses and devotions during half time...rules for the parents and the plan of salvation laid out every single game though a reward system for the kids. It was very well done!

We would bring along a ball for Connor and Chloe

She loves these glasses...I am not sure why

Looks like they had to be separated... :)

Warming up before the game

Next year, buddy!

Something must have been really interesting on the other side of the fence

Devotions and prayer during half-time

Look at her go!!

Changing Mr. Potato Head

Our "Littlest Mommy" has been caught diapering many things: baby dolls, stuffed pigs, herself. However, I think this holds the record for the funniest...

Messy

Or as Chloe put it when she saw these pictures, "Ewwww!"

I thought that was bad enough...then I pulled her away from the table...

Tired

It's Just an Overview...Really!

OK, I have some updating to do! I have a ton...and I mean ton that I want to get up here. For your sake and mine it will not be one post. But I am praying I actually get it done because God's fingerprints have been all over it. Much of it I am still thinking through...still marveling at. But I believe it is all worth telling and most assuredly worth me remembering.

First, I must ashamedly admit that today was my first cleaning day again since the last time I posted. Oh, sure there have been bits and pieces picked up here and there but it has not been CLEANED. Life happened and so it all waited...the beauty of housework.

Last Sunday...the 22nd, I think? VBS began. I led the four year old room and Shawn taught in the first grade boys. It was an exciting week. VBS was bigger and better than ever! 600+ kids...somewhere around $5,000 raised for a missionary family in Chad...and 24 decisions made for Christ! Whooohooo!! Our whole family had an absolute blast on Outrigger Island!

Thursday was a planned errand and packing day. I had planned for months to attend the Deeper Still conference in Atlanta with some girlfriends. We were leaving early Friday morning.

Early Thursday morning, Chloe starts to throw up...and she doesn't stop until she finally falls asleep late Thursday night. I sat in tears as I convinced myself that I shouldn't go to the conference but stay home with my very sick little girl. After being awake all night going back and forth on what I should do, I finally got up at 6 am and showered and started to pack just in case she seemed better. I woke her up and fed her breakfast and she seemed to be doing great. So I left a couple hours later. Checked on her OFTEN and every time got a good report from Shawn. Yea!! I was so excited to be going and so excited my little girl seemed to feeling good!

At the conference, during the second song Friday night, I heard my cell phone ringing. It was Shawn. He just wanted me to know that Chloe had just puked...a lot...all over him. But everything was fine, he said, not to worry. Thanks, honey, for letting me know. :)

Saturday I am going to save for later.

Sunday - I had returned home in the wee hours of the morning and so we decided to sleep in. Turned out to be a VERY good thing, because by afternoon my sweet Chloe was again going downhill. She finally went to sleep around 10:00 after completely emptying her stomach. She fell asleep on our living room floor.

Monday morning - she wakes up but doesn't move. She has a completely dry diaper and is not keeping down anything - even the tiniest sip of Gatorade. By afternoon we are headed to the doctor.

The doctor sends us on to the hospital. Chloe is indeed dehydrated. From the ER we are told we will be there the night at least - until she starts peeing and keeping down some food.

We were able to leave last night. Praise God! My sweet girl is her silly self again. Playing...eating...peeing (I have never been so thankful to change diapers!)

There is so much more to all of this. My trip...the conference...Chloe...I will share more in the coming days. Right now I just sit completely grateful for so many things. My home, my husband - who has played Mr. Mom more in the last couple of days than the rest of the year and yet never once complained, my healthy kids, my God who makes Himself known to me and who is the Giver of all things good, my amazing church family and friends, their support and their prayers, my sweet mom who sat all day with me in the hospital.

I can't help but wonder where we would be if God wasn't with us? To Him be all the glory!

Today was a beautiful day of being home...cleaning, resting, chatting with people I love dearly. More to come...

New Hair - The Long and Short of It

Chloe's new hair... (it's getting longer!)

Piggy Tails!! I have been waiting for this day since I found out I was having another girl! I loved fixing Summer's hair when she was a baby...just took a little longer for Chloe...to umm...get hair.

Summer's new hair...(it's shorter - A LOT shorter!)

Five minutes (literally five minutes) before we needed to leave for church last Sunday evening, I walk into the bathroom to find Summer cutting her hair. She had cut both sides about ear level and now had a very dramatic mullet. In effort to help her look a bit better for church, I quickly cut the looong back hair. So sad, but there was no other way to fix it. I, rather she cried and cried. She didn't want it short, or at least ALL of it short.

"It's only hair," I assured myself...I mean her, "it will grow back." Between sobs, she asked, "Are you sure, Mommy? Are you sure it will grow back?"

When we returned home later that night, I did my best to fix it for school the next morning. For the first time my little girl was terrified to go to school. She was afraid people were going to call her a boy or laugh at her. (None of which happened.) The whole experience was quite traumatic for me, I mean her...I don't think (hope...pray) she doesn't attempt this ever again. At least not until completing "cutter girl" school.

Three Little Reasons...

Daddy can't lay on the floor...(in peace anyway)

You know you are a mom of three...

When you see this...

and you take a picture. :)

Weekend Fun

Playing in the water while riding scooters and tricycles...so fun.

While Mommy Was At Beth Moore...

Had heard about this...saw the stains when I returned home but just found the pictures. Thought I'd share! :)

Sisters

Do You See It?

She's getting hair!!!

Sick

But cute!

Honest Chlo

Chloe found the hidden stash of "keeper papers" from Summer last year. They were in a box under the bed and she is the Queen of Small Places. We find her stuck constantly...behind the Entertainment Center, under the train table, under the crib, in a cubby in the closet, behind the couch...the list goes on and on.

Anyway, after her adventures under the bed, she came out with this...
Summer's President's Day creation from Preschool. If you can't tell that is a paper plate transformed into an Abe Lincoln mask. Thus, the "Honest Chlo" Get it... :)

Shawn, I know you are rolling your eyes right now, but someone might think I am funny! And after a day like today, that is all I can come up with! :)

Breakfast

This morning we had to eat a quick breakfast before dropping Summer off at school, then on to some errands and from there to hear my friend Tara speak. For the first time I plopped Chloe down on the floor in front of a cartoon while I got ready...bowl of dry cereal and milk, just like the "big kids". She did so good! And it was too cute to not take a minute to get a couple pictures!

Little Stinker

Tonight, I had Chloe propped between Shawn and I on the couch while we were watching TV. I leaned my head over and rested it on his shoulder. Chloe turns around and looks at me and fusses and squirms so I lifted my head thinking I was somehow making her uncomfortable. She then, contented, leans her head on Shawn! My mouth dropped open! I put my head back...same thing again. I know she is a Daddy's girl, but really!

Big Smiles!

Trike-A-Thon

(Phone pictures again...my mommy brain keeps forgetting the camera...)

Tonight was our church's annual Trike-A-Thon! It was a blast! The preschool age kids worked all week getting donations and then tonight they rode their little hearts out. The sight was priceless. All donations went to buy bicycles for children for Christmas. The kids were thrilled to have a part in it.

Our goal for Summer and Connor was 10 laps around the circle. Connor's age group went first and he scooted his little scooter (his wheels of choice) around like a pro. 20 minutes went by and Connor was still going. It was Summer's age group's turn but they let Connor continue and continue he did. He kept going around and around and around. I could tell he was getting tired, his steering was shaky and he was slowing down but he would not stop. He went another 20 minutes with Summer's group. I was so proud of those little legs!!

Summer had brought her scooter but last minute changed her mind (that's our girl) to Connor's big wheel. The kids were all lined up ready to start and Summer sped out, peddling a mile a minute. She didn't last as long as Connor (she did meet her goal plus some) but she peddled her hardest the entire time she was out there. I was equally proud of her!

Poor Chloe had a rough time waiting in the wing. She had her make-up one year check-up this morning. She couldn't muster up a fever so she ended up with two shots. She cried and cried like always and it left her quite cranky the rest of the day. On top of that, she does not like to be left out. So all the kids riding and her watching didn't sit too well. Next year, sweet girl, next year. :)