Happy Harvest from the Fosters!

I love decorating the house for all of the different seasons and holidays!

Decorating for the seasons is a great way to let Emmanuel's creativity shine.  He picked out the scarecrows and the pumpkins, and he even painted two of them (one real pumpkin with the cousins and one craft pumpkin that we can keep and use year after year).

We have a few pumpkins and two scarecrows on the outside of our house. 

And, on the inside, we have Emmanuel's craft pumpkin and a mini pumpkin. 

For our next fall-inspired project, we are going to take leaves, acorns, and pine cones from outside and make some garland to go around the craft pumpkin.  The best part about this project will be watching Emmanuel pick out, inspect, and collect the best acorns and pine cones that he can find and showing them to Reesie Pooh. 

Happy Harvest!   

Post-Baby Baby Shower

A few Sundays ago, our church gave us a Baby Shower for Baby Reese.

It was the first time that I have ever attended a post-baby baby shower, and I must tell you...it was really neat to have the guest of honor present at the event!  I realize there is an anticipation element that is perhaps missed from a post-baby baby shower, but getting to choose his Baby Shower outfit (he wore his "God Bless this Child" onesie and bib from Kelly Marie) and having people actually hold the guest of honor while "ooh-ing and ahh-ing" over him was really priceless.  

That was, until he fell asleep! 

Big brother, Emmanuel, was in attendance, too.  He had a lot of fun opening "his baby's" gifts and running around with the little girls!

We are so thankful for the St. Andrews Church Family.  This body of believers embodies the spirit of family in more ways than we can count, and we are so deeply grateful for the examples of humility, generosity, and selflessness that are displayed everytime we walk through the doors.

Welcome home, Baby Reese.

Emmanuel loves his daddy

A tribute to Daddy from Emmanuel

LOL!

Finally, a video that shows Reese laughing out loud!  He laughed before he smiled, if that gives you any indication about his personality.  Eli and I think that he will enjoy laughing at all of Emmanuel's jokes as they grow up together.  I'm still not certain that I can handle two silly boys, but it appears as though that is what I have been blessed with...so let the jokes begin! 

Broken...the joys of living with a toddler!

In the last two weeks, something has been broken in this house almost everyday.  Among those are the following: 

My camera (hence, a blog with no pictures yet again)...

My cell phone...I know that I have a ton of voicemails and even more text messages that I can't hear or read...

My measuring cup...

My beautiful, cranberry-colored 2 foot vase...

My flower pot...

and the list continues.

Despite my extensive teachings to my rambunctious, curly-haired, rough and tumble two-year-old about the fragile nature of mommy's decor...things still end up broken (go figure!)  My hot glue gun is working overtime, and I am starting a fund to replace the broken things that a hot glue gun can't fix.

(Emmanuel in his "bumbo")

I am coming to grips with the fact that life with a toddler includes things being broken...many things.  And, I am bring reminded daily by the Lord that at the end of the day it's just stuff...it doesn't matter...and it won't last.  When something breaks, my sweet Emmanuel, who is incredibly empathetic, especially when it comes to his mama's feelings, rushes to my side and says, "I'm so sorry, mama." Then, he'll grab his tools or his pretend glue gun, and say, "Mom, I'm Bob the Builder, I'll fix it!"  This is, of course, before he darts off on his next adventure, which might include something else getting broken.  

Endurance

In the last 5 days, I have witnessed my toddler throw up more violently then ever before...then trip and cut his head on a brick fireplace...then endure the Emergency Room where they "swaddled him" so that he could get 5 stitches...and most recently, throw up again for several hours until there was absolutely nothing left inside of him.

Poor baby.

Emmanuel is recovering slowly.  As it turns out, he has a double ear infection and possibly another virus (hence, all of the throw-up), but he always gives 100%, so even when he is sick, he goes at full-speed and doesn't slow down unless we make him rest.

We are emotionally and mentally drained.  I was just beginning to process what it was like to see blood pouring out of my baby's head...when he woke up last night and began throwing up...and just when we thought he might be finished, he would throw up some more.

Pray for us.  This stage of parenting, coupled with where we are in our personal lives (new job, night classes, new baby...who is teething by the way, and semi-new place) is a test of endurance and survival.  It is not a measure of skill nor intelligence...It is simply about enduring and being faithful.

Lord, please help us to endure and remain faithful to the call.

Thank you, Jesus, for Granny Myrt.

Parents prompt their children.  Parents especially prompt toddlers.

Example of Carmen prompting Emmanuel:  
Emmanuel, say, 'Thank You.'  
Emmanuel, say, 'You're sorry.'  
Emmanuel, say, 'Happy Birthday to such and such.'  


You get the point.

Well, during our prayer time at night, we keep is simple.  The prompt is, "Let's thank Jesus for ___________."  Emmanuel fills in the blank.

Emmanuel usually thanks Jesus for the following people in the following order:
Mimi (I know I talk about how much he loves his cousin, but it's really ridiculous)
Eli (Yes, he sometimes calls Dada, "Eli.")
Reesie Pooh and Mama.

He will add and take away people as he sees fit without being prompted by me.

Last week, after listing the regulars, he said, "And...Granny Myrt!"  I said, "Did you just say, 'Granny Myrt'?"  He said, "Yes, mama, Myrt...Granny Myrt."  I laughed out loud, and then we finished prayer time.

And, who wouldn't thank Jesus for a 79-year-old who gets her nails and toes painted in sparkles for her birthday?

Granny Myrt is a blessing to me in more ways that I can count.

Thank you, Jesus, for Granny Myrt!

A Mother's Love