So, we haven't really revealed the name of our daughter, yet.
So when people ask me, I tell them the name that Emmanuel came up with: Baby Change Diaper.
This has made some members of my extended family very upset, namely James IV (who is 12) and Michael (who is 10).
They took it upon themselves to give me a list of why that name was not acceptable for their baby girl cousin:
Aunt Carmen, she will be embarrassed once she hits Middle School, maybe people will be nice to her in Elementary School, but they will tear her up in Middle School.
Aunt Carmen, that's just not a good name. Nothing about it is cool.
It's too long.
It doesn't make sense.
We don't like it, and we can't believe that you would name our family member that!
Wow, these pre-teens have some strong opinions, don't you think? The truth is that upon discovering that we were having a little girl, we pulled a name out of our hat that we have thought about for a long time. It has really powerful biblical and personal meaning. We think it is the perfect name for this little girl.
But, for now, it's fun to have Emmanuel and Reese (I definitely can't leave him out) take ownership in talking to and about their baby sister.
And, even though we have a name for her, something tells me they might still call her Baby Change Diaper and that's perfectly fine with me.
E and R smiling
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Another Round of "Firsts"
Three has been an interesting age.
You have to pay for things for your child (no more free admissions!) In most cases, your child is more verbal than at age two, and thinks that he can have an "adult conversation" (for example, Emmanuel listens to EVERY WORD that I say on the phone...even spelling things out doesn't work well these days...he always figures it out!) And, there are typically a new round of "firsts" that your "no-longer-toddler" is able to participate in.
Emmanuel's round of firsts have included:
1. A ride on a school bus! This was very exciting for Emmanuel and Reese because they are fascinated with transportation. We almost always watch for the school bus to pick up the big kids in the morning. One of our favorite librarians has his crayons in a crayon school bus that both the boys get so excited over...so when they had the chance to ride on a REAL bus, they were thrilled! We took this ride with my sister-in-law's group on the way to the circus.
You have to pay for things for your child (no more free admissions!) In most cases, your child is more verbal than at age two, and thinks that he can have an "adult conversation" (for example, Emmanuel listens to EVERY WORD that I say on the phone...even spelling things out doesn't work well these days...he always figures it out!) And, there are typically a new round of "firsts" that your "no-longer-toddler" is able to participate in.
Emmanuel's round of firsts have included:
1. A ride on a school bus! This was very exciting for Emmanuel and Reese because they are fascinated with transportation. We almost always watch for the school bus to pick up the big kids in the morning. One of our favorite librarians has his crayons in a crayon school bus that both the boys get so excited over...so when they had the chance to ride on a REAL bus, they were thrilled! We took this ride with my sister-in-law's group on the way to the circus.
2. Dancing on stage with members of the Nashville Ballet (while Reese was running on stage!)
3. Playing a violin at the Country Music Hall of Fame
4. First "real" Superbowl Party where he watched about 5 minutes of the game
5. First time at the skating rink--this didn't last long either...ended with a big fall, but he and Reese got to go in the ticket booth for their cousin...so that made all the difference!
Can I just say that this year has gone by amazingly fast! It seems like as my children age, the time goes faster and faster. With tears in my eyes, I asked a friend of mine whose boys are 6 and 3 if there was anyway to slow down the time. I can't seem to take enough pictures and write enough blogs and do whatever I possibly can to record these memories. She looked at me and simply said, "Enjoy your children."
So, one moment at a time...I am enjoying my children.
Trayvon Martin
(This was written about a month ago...I was pretty sure that I published it, but went to the blog this morning and realized it wasn't showing up! So, it's dated now, but happy reading!)
There is a bit of an activist in me.
Maybe it's because my dad was fierce. Maybe it's because he was involved in the civil rights movement. Maybe it's because he has vivid memories of the night Martin Luther King Jr. died that haunted him...
or...maybe it's because I grew up learning about and admiring Martin Luther King, Jr. whose very life was given for the pursuit of justice and who is credited with saying, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
or perhaps...it's because I am madly in love with Jesus Christ, who is very clear about taking care of the oppressed, the poor, the widow...those who are unable to defend themselves.
Maybe, just maybe these are the reasons that there is a spirit of activism that lies deep within.
And, maybe I care so much about Trayvon Martin bcause I am raising two boys (who wear hoodies all the time, by the way)...maybe I care so much because my boys are part African-American (and let's face it, society will perceive them as black men). Maybe I care so much because it could have been them...or my 12-year-old nephew...or my next door neighbor's son.
Regardless of why I care...what's important is that I DO care, and I think that most people should be concerned...involved....outraged. Unfortunately, I have been surprised at the silence of people around me. It's as though their lips are stapled shut in fear that people will get the wrong impression of them.
We attended the rally for Trayvon in Nashville and joined other people who are concerned...who want to show Trayvon's family support...who want to teach their sons and their daughters that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
As it began to rain, I was reminded of another significant event that Eli and I took Emmanuel to and had to brave the elements to do so. We attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama...Emmanuel was a few days shy of 6 months old...and it was FREEZING. I remember that people thought we were crazy to take an infant in that weather...in those large crowds...but we wanted Emmanuel to be aware of the significance that was happening in our country (which, whether or not you agree with Obama...I think it is safe to say that his presidency is signficant for our country...not just for Black people...but for our whole country)...it will be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives and we will remind him about it as he grows into a man.
So, a little rain or freezing weather won't stop us from fighting for what is right...because there's a little bit of activism in us that writhes in pain when there is an injustice and shouts hallelujah when there is progress.
For now...we wait in pain with Trayvon's family, in joyful hope that the sovereign God we serve will make all things new and right in His way.
There is a bit of an activist in me.
Maybe it's because my dad was fierce. Maybe it's because he was involved in the civil rights movement. Maybe it's because he has vivid memories of the night Martin Luther King Jr. died that haunted him...
or...maybe it's because I grew up learning about and admiring Martin Luther King, Jr. whose very life was given for the pursuit of justice and who is credited with saying, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
or perhaps...it's because I am madly in love with Jesus Christ, who is very clear about taking care of the oppressed, the poor, the widow...those who are unable to defend themselves.
Maybe, just maybe these are the reasons that there is a spirit of activism that lies deep within.
And, maybe I care so much about Trayvon Martin bcause I am raising two boys (who wear hoodies all the time, by the way)...maybe I care so much because my boys are part African-American (and let's face it, society will perceive them as black men). Maybe I care so much because it could have been them...or my 12-year-old nephew...or my next door neighbor's son.
Regardless of why I care...what's important is that I DO care, and I think that most people should be concerned...involved....outraged. Unfortunately, I have been surprised at the silence of people around me. It's as though their lips are stapled shut in fear that people will get the wrong impression of them.
We attended the rally for Trayvon in Nashville and joined other people who are concerned...who want to show Trayvon's family support...who want to teach their sons and their daughters that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
As it began to rain, I was reminded of another significant event that Eli and I took Emmanuel to and had to brave the elements to do so. We attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama...Emmanuel was a few days shy of 6 months old...and it was FREEZING. I remember that people thought we were crazy to take an infant in that weather...in those large crowds...but we wanted Emmanuel to be aware of the significance that was happening in our country (which, whether or not you agree with Obama...I think it is safe to say that his presidency is signficant for our country...not just for Black people...but for our whole country)...it will be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives and we will remind him about it as he grows into a man.
So, a little rain or freezing weather won't stop us from fighting for what is right...because there's a little bit of activism in us that writhes in pain when there is an injustice and shouts hallelujah when there is progress.
For now...we wait in pain with Trayvon's family, in joyful hope that the sovereign God we serve will make all things new and right in His way.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
and for the little baby, mama...
We have been doing Easter prayers everyday with the boys during the Lenten season (I promise to write more about this as time permits), so last night, after talking about the meaning of Good Friday, I said to Emmanuel and Reese....
"Jesus died on the cross for a little boy named Reesie...and a little boy named Emmanuel...a big girl named Carmen...and big boy named Eli...and everybody else in the whole wide world!"
Emmanuel looked at me with those huge chocolate eyes and said, "Mama...Jesus died for the little baby in your tummy, too!" Holding back tears, I hugged his neck and I said, yes, sweet angel, Jesus died for the little baby in my tummy, too.
Amen.
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