1...3...5

So,  what is the significance of 1...3...5?  Am I working on a sequencing pattern with my kindergarten to count up by 2?  Am I focusing just on the odd months of the year?  Am I counting the weeks to a grand celebration (like a holiday or birthday)?

No.  1...3...5 are the ages that my children turned this summer.  And, they are also the ages that hold the most significance for me so far in my parenting journey.

1 for me is important because my "tiny baby" (and in Moriah Grace's grace, really tiny, preemie, baby) is now a moving, shaking, opinion-having person.  Moriah Grace was born to us one month early, weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces and was back in the hospital less than two days after we were discharged.  Her first weeks were spent fighting hard to acclimate to life outside of the womb.  There were nights when I would just sit up to make sure she was still breathing (not in the way the same way that  I sat up to make sure Emmanuel was breathing--that was "I'm a first-time mom--I don't know what I'm doing--is my baby going to make it" check-ins)...these sleepless nights were legitimate because she was legitimately struggling.  I wondered if she would make it.  Would she gain weight?  Would she stop having jaundice?  Would she be able to keep her body temperature on her own?  Would God give me strength to endure with this tiny baby?  Yes, Yes, Yes, and Absolutely!

3 days old 

13 months old 

What a difference a year makes.  At her one year checkup, MG weighed 21 pounds.  She was saying a few words.  She was moving and shaking appropriately (although not walking at 12 months), and she made it clear to her big brothers that she is a force to be reckoned with!

Typically, we have a large party with family and friends and then a day filled with special activities on their actual birthday.  We opted out of the large party this year because (drumroll, please)....we took a trip to Disneyworld for their birthday celebration!  (We actually saved for this trip for two years and it was a combo birthday celebration and "you're transitioning to kindergarten celebration" for Emmanuel.)

MG's actual birthday fell when we were in Orlando.  I dressed her in her polka-dotted party dress that my sweet friend, Natalie, bought for her before she was born.  Funny thing about this dress is that my dear friend, Brooke, brought her the same dress in a newborn size.  So, MG wore it at 6 weeks in newborn size and at 12 months.

6 weeks

   

1 year--waiting for the cake!

MG's smash cake was purple with little white pearls (she has pearl earrings).  

Lovely smash cake on our paper plate from vacation

And while the boys enjoyed their cupcakes and her smash cake...all baby girl wanted was to finally taste some juice!

She was super serious about that juice box (guess she knew she was missing out all these months!)

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet girl.  You have changed our lives forever.  We love the strong, feisty woman you are growing into.  Thank you for all the ways you draw us closer to Jesus. 

We love you.  

(More to come about 3...and 5).

Happy Father's Day!

This man, Eli Foster...

...is extraordinary!

Now, I realize to the outside world...he might be seen as just an ordinary guy.  He's a middle school teacher, who likes to relax with his kids, and who loves to fish.  He's pretty simple and very easy to please.  I guess most people would think he's pretty ordinary.

But, what makes him extraordinary, you ask?  He is on his face before the Lord for us...his family.  He prays for us and loves us in such a radical and unconditional way.  He goes without so that we can have.  He says he is sorry, and extends us forgiveness when needed.  Everyday this man tells me that I am beautiful and how much he adores me.  Everyday he makes his boys feel like they are the most important kids in the world.  He tells them and shows them that they are special to him.   Everyday, he whispers to his little princess that she is valued, beloved, and has a lot to offer.  This is radical.  This is extraordinary.

Eli Foster is changing the generations.  There is a very powerful, spiritual shift that is taking place and he is at the very center of it...that's pretty extraordinary.

Happy Father's Day, Eli.  Thank you for being extraordinary.

Dreams do come true

When I was a young adult, my dream was to be a successful attorney.  I was going to have an amazing career.  I was not certain of anything else in life, but I knew that I was going to have a career.

Well, fast forward to 2013.  I am a stay-at-home mom of three small children.  My days mostly consist of wiping bottoms and snotty noses, attending playdates, reminding my children to use their manners and to be respectful, correcting behavior, picking up toys (I clean A LOT), and cooking meals (I cook A LOT).  A few times a week, I'm able to workout (usually joined by Shaun T and at least one child), and I do work a few hours a week for As One Fellowship, a new multicultural church plant in Nashville and Preston Taylor Ministries.  I am up pretty early most mornings, and by 5pm, I am spent.

This is not the amazing life that I thought I would have.  

Most of my very talented, very intelligent college friends are booming in their careers.  They are business leaders, attorneys, marketing specialists....you know, important in their field.  At 31, I thought that I would be right alongside of them...but my days are different.  My days are focused on teaching site words, singing pat-a-cake, and building towers that "bad guys" can't knock down.

It is not glamorous.  Sometimes, it's actually very gross (potty training, anybody?).  And, I will never make a lot of money.  Those things are facts.  But, this non-glamorous, gross life brings me so much joy.  I have the great privilege to spend the majority of my children's waking hours with them.  I get to help them work through times when they are angry.  I get to teach them how to process their emotions.  I get to remind them of Christ's unconditional love for them.  I get to be there with them to rejoice when they have accomplished something exciting.  I get to be present.  And, now that I am three short weeks away from not spending the majority of Emmanuel's waking hours with him, I am realizing that this is my dream.  

It's my dream to be present....to be available...to be the homeroom mom...to be the baseball coach's wife...to do the laundry...to cook the meals...that's my dream.  Actually, the funny thing is that my mom was "that mom."  The one who was at the school and involved.  The mom on my brother's teams who helped to organize things.  The one who was home with us when school was out.  She stayed at home with us, and I will never forget having a conversation with my very wise daddy who said, "When your mom was at home, I had no worries.  I knew that she would take care of everything.  I knew she would teach and train.  I am grateful that she held us together."  He praised her for her service to our family.  He valued the sacrifice that she made for us.  I am so grateful that I had that conversation with him before he passed away.  Because on days when I feel like I am making no impact and that what I am doing doesn't matter, God reminds me of this conversation with my dad.  What a gift that is to me.

So, this past Spring, I had an opportunity to further "live my dream" by being the coach's wife!  Eli coached Emmanuel's Coach Pitch Baseball Team.  It was so much fun!  I loved every practice and every game.  We truly had a great experience as a family.  The kids and families that we worked with were amazing.  We could not have asked for a better group of people to play with.  What fun!  It is truly an experience that we will remember forever.

My dream definitely looks different than what I envisioned.  And, I believe that happens to us.  We think our life should look one way, but God has other plans.  When we truly surrender our life to God, he reveals to us his purposes for us and his plans for us, and then affirms his plan, even if other people do not.  So what if our dream is not as glamorous as somebody elses....God has a plan.  So what if we don't make very much  money...God has a plan and He will provide.  So what if it doesn't fit perfectly in our box....God has a plan and He molds us and shapes us.  God's plans for our life far outweighs anything that we could ever dream up on our on.  So, go ahead, choose God's plan for your life....don't force or manufacture something that is not there...He has a specific plan just for you.  I can honestly say that these three children have drawn me closer to God than anything else in my life.  I am more aware of my sin.  More aware of my deficiencies.  More aware of my need for Christ.  And in my daily failings as a parent, I am more grateful for the mercy of Jesus that never runs out.

God has a plan...to draw us closer to Himself and to allow us to know Him in a deeper, more intimate way.  Trust that.  

If you give a man a fish....

The Chinese proverb states:  “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”  

The wife, Carmen, would like to add:  If you teach the man to gut and filet the fish, the wife will be thrilled!  

It's been a long time since I've written.  I've had plenty of things to say, but no extra time or space to write.  My hope is that I can write more this summer, while Eli is home on break.  Our family is growing and changing in so many ways.  Moriah Grace is 1.  She's as cute and as feisty as can be.  Reesie Pooh will be 3 on Sunday (and 3, might I add, is a tough birthday for me.  I don't cry at 1 or at 2, but 3....3 does me in everytime), and he is so mature and snuggable with mama.  And, Emmanuel will be five in a couple of weeks.  He is bright, curious, funny, and so, so likeable.  Kindergarten, watch out!  

Ok, so back to the fish.  Carl Bean, my cousin and our dear family friend, is a jack of all trades.  He loves Jesus.  He cares about his family.  He hunts.  He fishes.  He cooks.  He cleans.  He is an amazing man. 

Thankfully, we live close enough to reap the benefits of his awesomeness!  One benefit:  teaching Eli (don't worry, I was watching) how to clean, gut, and filet a fish.  

Exhibit A:  The crappie (that's the name of the fish.  I promise, I'm not funny enough to make this up!) 

Exhibit B:  Reese watching intently as Carl Bean guts the fish.  

Exhibit C:  Eli, in the kitchen trying to cut open the fish (Thank you, Carl Bean, for making Eli do some of the work!)

I will interrupt right here to say that there were more pictures of fish eggs and cutting off of heads, etc, but there is only so much blood and guts that a girl can take!

Not only did Carl Bean teach Eli how to gut and filet the fish.  He also taught him a valuable lesson that I've been trying to teach him our whole marriage that my dad taught me:  Clean up as you go!   (I'll let you know in a few months if that lesson stuck).  And, then, for the grand finale, Carl Bean used his 11-spice blend (it's a secret people, I've tried to steal it a million times) to fry up that crappie.  The whole family enjoyed our fresh fish, even baby Moriah Grace.

 (Emmanuel is trying to figure out in the picture how he can steal some of his dad's plate.)

Good times are always had by the Fosters at Carl Bean's house.  

123

123 days.

This is the number of days left until Emmanuel starts Kindergarten.

Is he anxious?  Absolutely not!  He can't wait to start this new adventure.

Am I anxious?  (Are you kidding?  Is this a trick question?  Am I breathing....of course I'm anxious to send my baby off to school!)  I got choked up walking to the school to fill out the registration paperwork.  Mind you, E is zoned for the best elementary school in the District and one of the best in the state...I have no doubt that he will absolutely thrive in school...I'm just selfishly thinking of how hard it is for me to face that he is old enough to read and write and to get his feelings hurt and to make friends and to crack jokes.  It feels like he was just 5 pounds, 9 ounces...or like he just learned to walk...or like he just discovered chocolate.  It happened so fast.  Too fast.

And poor Reesie looked at me with tear-filled eyes, and he said, "I'm gonna cry when Emmanuel goes to kindergarten because he won't ever come back!"

Dagger.  through.  the.  heart.  

All of my selfish anxiety went out the window as I went to comfort my boy.  Then, Emmanuel, in typical big-brother style,stepped in and said, "Reesie, it's ok.  I will come back, and you can do special things with mom and MG while I'm at school."  Reese looked at E, gave him a hug, and simply said, "Ok, Emmanuel."

These two truly are more than just brothers...they are friends.  They have been inseparable for almost three years.  They play together.  They share a room.  They have the same friends.  They dress up together.  They take baths together.  They brush their teeth at the same time.  They are always together...and Reese is not Emmanuel's shadow that just follows him around at will...he chooses to be with him.  They are not just brothers....they are "bruhs," and what a privilege it is to watch them develop a friendship.  

So, 123 days until our little family has a change of pace.  123 days to complete the items on my Kindergarten Bucket List that I made over a year ago.  123 days to savor every dress-up time, every playdate, every argument...

123 days before it is a little too quiet in my house during the day.

Welcome to Kindergarten!

I'm a big kid now!

Reese potty trained himself in early December. I've always thought he was off the hook...but I figured just all second-born children are (particularly when kids are less than two years apart). He understands complex concepts, will not ever be out done, and exudes an awesome amount of confidence.

So why was I surprised when he said he was ready to wear underwear? Because I dread potty training. It's disgusting. Period. The amount of patience required is overwhelming to me, especially when I'm watching a baby, listening to my four-year-old talk about everything (he LOVES to talk), and making sure the potty trainee knows how to aim so that urine is not all over the bathroom. The King James Version of the Bible uses the word "long suffering," to describe patience.  I definitely resonate with the use of the word "long suffering" when it comes to potty training.

But, alas, Reese is like a 30-year-old: he is clear about his goals and works very hard to achieve them. This kid made up his mind that he wanted to wear underwear and that was it! He had maybe two or three accidents and that has been it! He loves that both he and Emmanuel wear underwear. He loves that he can roll with the big boys.

And just like that...Mama's baby boy is a big kid.

I'm so proud of you, Reesie Pooh.  Ugga Mugga!

Because I love my husband

I bought these deeply discounted UT outfits for our kids. 

I would like to make clear that I'm not a VOLS fan....and I never have been.  I grew up 90 minutes from UT (but people in Ooltewah call it UTK), and I was never a fan.  I don't like the "VOLS orange."  I don't like the song "Rocky Top."  And, although, I love all of my friends who UT alum (Kelly Marie, Joe Ella, Tara...I love you with all of my heart, please don't be offended), I am not a fan.  My heart is true to the finest institution of higher learning in America, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill....ahem (I just had to put that in here).    

But...

I married a fan...an alum of UT...somebody who got a piece of the goal post way back in the day when they won the National Title...so because of those reasons, I bought the kids these UT outfits.  

(Yes, I know, the Wife of the Year Committee called me and told me about my nomination for my sacrificial love.  LOL.)  

Seriously, the reality is that we live in Tennessee...and UT stuff (particularly when they are having a not-so-glamorous year in sports) is ridiculously cheap.  They sell it at Cracker Barrel, Walmart, gas stations, on the side of the road...wherever you can imagine.  So, I thought it would be a cute idea for the kids, ever though MG won't be able to fit that cheerleading outfit until she's 4.  (And, btw, aren't the little cheerleading outfits adorable!  I looked online for a Carolina one, and well, let's just say they aren't that cheap when you are ordering online.)

So...Here's to you, Eli...and your love for the VOLS...May you take lots of pictures with you and your children in your orange apparel.