I would be remiss...

if I wrote a story about dressing up like soldiers...and didn't include a story about dressing up like "Bob," (which is short for Bob the Builder, of course!)

  

When Emmanuel was 2 and Reese was 4 months, Emmanuel was Bob the Builder for Halloween (Halloween 2010), and the building madness has continued ever since!  They have collected a ridiculous amount of tools and equipment over the years and their favorite thing to do is build with their daddy.  But, when daddy's at work...they have to settle for "building" with mom.  A couple of weeks ago, I aerated the lawn, and they ran to get their gear. 

A few days later we went to Home Depot for one of their building workshops, and it was one of my most fun moments as a mom.  It was such a well-thought out craft and event.  They provided all of the supplies, and it even included snacks for the kids (and coffee for the parents) and a certificate of completion when they finished!  We are true fans of the hands-on workshops (it also helped that the project was building firetrucks!)

 Yes, they are wearing their superman gear...capes and all...

These little builders are so much fun...and they LOVE to go, go, go!  I am grateful for every moment that I have with them...

There she is...

I read this article about raising daughters...and one of the things that it mentioned is that when your daughter is a baby, you think she is the most beautiful baby in the world (this is probably true whether you have a baby boy or a baby girl...but the article was about baby girls)...

I must admit that I do agree with the article. 

I think Moriah Grace is the prettiest little girl in the world.  When she was itty, bitty, we would dance around singing "Isn't she lovely..." and I always call her "Pretty, Pretty" (which, by the way, I didn't realize I was doing this until Eli was like...um, are you calling her "pretty, pretty"?  Guilty as charged.  

Some nights I just look at her while she smiles at me, and I sing, "Could you be the most beautiful girl in the world?" 

And, well, my dear childhood friend, Kelly Marie Benda Earnheart, (who knows me better than most people) came to visit us and gave MG a shirt that read 'Future Miss America, Moriah.' 

Now, truth be told, I want all of my children to be pleased with their physical appearance...God has created them in His image, and they are beautiful... and I especially want my little girl to know that she is loved and that she is beautiful...and to hear that at home first, so that she won't look for some strange boy to tell her that about herself...but, ultimately, I want all of them to know that God looks at our hearts.  

Period.

It doesn't matter if they fit society's perception of beautiful...it doesn't matter if their mama thinks that they are the most beautiful of all time...God cares about their hearts.

So, my pretty, pretty...you are beautiful...you are of great worth and value...but not because of how you look...but because of whose you are....because of who holds you in the palm of his hand...

"Praise Him, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made...His works are wonderful...know that full well." (Psalm 139:14)..and let that truth affect your heart.

Where in the world is Eli Foster?

On the first day of Fall Break, where in the world was Eli Foster?

A.  Sleeping in until 8 in his nice, warm bed? 

B.  Waking up at 5AM to go fishing on Old Hickory Lake? 

C.  Playing video games while everyone else slept? 

Drumroll please...

Answer B!  Eli started his Fall Break off with a bang and went fishing with the beloved, Carl Bean...

A rare moment with Carl Bean and MG...and I actually had my camera to capture it! 

...I am coming to the conclusion that I am becoming a fisherman's wife...I better learn how to clean and gut fish real fast!  I love fish, and I am excited about eating it fresh...just not totally excited about gutting fish in my own kitchen...

I love our local butchers...and I guess it's time to finally pick their brains about gutting fish before my freezer becomes a little too full with Eli's catches...here we go!

Can anybody offer any fish gutting tips and techniques...I'm all ears...

Fishermen, Hunters, Army men...oh, my!

So, it started as an innocent love of fishing from my husband.  And, as his passion for fishing has grown, so has his "fishing attire."  This led to conversations with the boys about proper attire for your job...and somehow we got to talking about camouflage.

And, then it occurred to Emmanuel that one of his favorite people on earth, Carl Bean, must wear camouflage.  (Carl Bean is my mom's first cousin--they are like siblings--he was one of my dad's closest friends--he is Eli's fishing buddy--and also happens to be one of the greatest role models/mentor that a woman could want for her husband or her sons...oh and he hunts and fishes and everything else).

So, Emmanuel said, "Wow--I'm gonna go hunting with Carl Bean one day, so I need some camo pants to blend in."  (I am thinking, "Hmmm...I'm not so sure I want my 4-year-old thinking about hunting...maybe we should become vegetarians..." but of course, I love to encourage a creative mind...so I listened and went with it.)  He found some camo shorts (he went through his hand-me-down box) and bought a bow and arrow with his treat money from the dollar store.  (Again, still thinking, hmm...what is going on here?)

He starts practicing with his bow and arrow, but it breaks after two days.  (All I will say is that Reese and cheap toys don't mix).

In an effort to help Reese not feel scared in their room, I suggest building a fort to keep the bad guys away, and I talk about God as a mighty fortress...and how He is our great protector, but all Emmanuel heard was "fort" and "bad guys."  We set up operations in the fort...we broke out our walkie-talkies...we used our binoculars to make sure no one was trying to get us.  In the middle of one of our "fort meetings," Emmanuel said, "Mom, I think we are in the army."  (Hmm...what is going on here...doesn't he want to play something that doesn't involve getting hurt...how about pretending to be a teacher or a computer scientist or an artist...no way!  He wanted to be "army.")

And, then, while buying a present for a birthday party, we saw them...Camo pants...on the sale rack for ridiculously cheap...in his size (and Reese's)...and well, this "camo craze" has grown from fishing to hunting to armying...and Reese is all in it right along with him.

As long as they don't ask for some pink camo for Moriah Grace, then we will be all right.

My baby's got asthma....

So, technically, my "baby" doesn't have asthma...Moriah Grace seems to be perfectly healthy...

But, my baby boy, who is 2 and who is starting to remind me that he is a "big boy, not a baby," has asthma.  Our pediatrician has been tracking his breathing for over a year.  At his 2-year-old well visit, she finally diagnosed what we have been seeing in him for a while as "asthma."

He's a tough kid--probably one of the toughest I've ever met--but when he runs really hard or exerts himself too much (crying, laughing, jumping), he will usually begin coughing a lot and throw-up.  When this happens in public, other moms would say, "um...is he sick?" (and then sometimes they would look at me as if to say, "How dare you bring him to playgroup...or the library...or to church...or wherever we happen to be that day?) But I would always answer, "No, he's not sick--he just throws up."  Weird answer, I know, but well, it was true.

As I explained his symptoms to our pediatrician.  She said, "Carmen, it's time we call a spade, a spade.  Reese has 'sports,-induced' asthma.  It doesn't mean he can't run, play, and jump like other kids, we just have to watch him and give him meds to make his lungs stronger."

So, that's what we are doing...taking one day at a time...learning about asthma...and paying close attention to Reese's little body...

...because even tough guys who aren't babies anymore still need some TLC.

Guess who's back?

Our MAC crashed a couple of weeks after Moriah Grace was born.  Apparently, two-year-olds and a cup of water close to the really expensive computer aren't a great mix.  We definitely found that out the hard way.  We are saving to purchase another computer, so my time on the internet is spotty...hence no blog posts for two months!

We are adjusting to being a family of five.  I thought going from 1-2 was hard, and it was...it was real hard for a while.  But, 2-3...well, let's just say that there are many days that Eli and I look at each other and say, "Man, 3 is a lot."  And, maybe, three isn't a lot if there is a huge age gap (like in both of our family of origins)....and, maybe, three isn't a lot if they are all the same gender...I don't know...but three in four years is, well, a lot.

Moriah Grace has gotten so CHUNKY!  She's a far cry from the 4 pound, 9 ounce preemie that was delivered in June.  At her 2 month appointment, she weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and I bet right now at 3 months, she easily weighs 11 pounds.  She is such a delight...a bit of a diva...and it takes everything in me not to hold her all day long (ok--Reese makes sure that I don't hold her all day long!)  She has such a huge and inviting smile...and she would talk all day if somebody would listen.  I am totally captivated by Ms. Moriah Grace...who knew but the Lord?

We had a lot of fun hanging out as a family this summer.  Here are some of our highlights!

Reese sitting on Moriah Grace (oh, wait...how did that get in here!)

The three when she was itty-bitty!

 

And, now the chunky mama...with her Sunday hat on at the church picnic!

Proud papa...my beloved husband adores our little family!

Not much is sweeter in life to me than capturing this moment of my granny and MG.  They are 80 years apart.

Joshua lost his first tooth (with a little help from Eli.)  He started kindergarten and has gotten so big!  I'm so proud of him.  E and Reese ADORE Joshua!

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A:  I didn't find out until 4:30 PM that day that  you could dress your family like a cow and get a free meal!  I was all over that!  We had so much fun that night.  (and, yes, Reese has on bunny ears...smh!)

We deepened a friendship with a sweet family in our neighborhood, Doug, Jamekra, and Kaylee.  Jamekra is super crafty!  I am amazed at how creative she is.  She had us over for a "Drive-In" Movie Theater, and she made the children their very own cars.  She had balloons, a snack station, complete with movie-themed candy...it was AMAZING! 

The back of the cars had a license plate with each of their names....

Jamekra also had us over for an Opening Ceremonies party for the Olympics! The kids dressed in red, white, and blue and made bracelets.  We also had trophies, medals, and a medal stand.  Like I said, Jamekra is AMAZING!

 Kaylee's bracelet...

 A 4th of July Craft at their house...

Eli built the boys a birdhouse...and they painted it with Joshua's help!

And, then, sprayed Josh with the hose! 

The boys "saved the world..."

At the nature center!

Our church member surprised the boys with an awesome gift.  He is a firefighter (and my boys love their rescue heroes) and our pastor's brother.  One day he said, "Carmen, I've got an old hat for the boys...do you think they would like that?  Can I give it to them?"  I was like..."Um, of course...they would be in heaven!"  The next Sunday, he gave them the hat...it says "Captain...Nashville FD" on it.  Emmanuel wears that hat everywhere.  He said, "Mama, I like using my imagination, but this is the REAL DEAL!"  Emmanuel is hilarious, and now he thinks he's a captain, too!

The boys are constantly in MG's face, and she not only loves it, but she expects it. 

First Sunday at church with all of the kids.

People are always telling me how she will be protected with her two older brothers (and let's not forget her three male cousins who also think it's their duty to watch over her)...I love how they are holding her hand in this picture as though they are "protecting her."  I love how they are wearing their Under Armour and the slogan is "We must protect this house."

I am so grateful that she is already learning that she is loved, she is valued, and that she has protectors.  It is our prayer for each of our babies that they would realize that their true love in Jesus...that they would find their true value in Jesus...that they would know that Jesus is their true protector.

We MUST protect this house.

Mount MORIAH...

People are curious about Moriah's name.  Some of the curiosity is typical to any name...why did you choose that name?  Is it a family name?  What does it mean?  And, for those who are observant and notice the spelling is different than like "Mariah Carey's name," they ask, "Oh, so why is it spelled that way?  What does it mean?  


Well, there is actually a lot of debate over what "Moriah" means.  Just check any baby website and you will get several different meanings.  


So, my answer when people ask me is not the "traditional babynames.com" answer.  I tell people what was on our hearts when we came up with the name "Moriah."


Note of caution:  This is a "heavy" post...very long, very transparent...


Genesis 22 (2, 12-14):  Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”  (v.12):  “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”  Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.  So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”


Most of you who know me well know that we were finished having children after Reese.  We were so finished that we had permanent measures taken place to ensure our family of four.  So, you can imagine our surprise when we found out we were pregnant. I will leave it at that...we were shocked, amazed, surprised, confused...


Then it was a girl...

We were shocked, amazed, surprised, confused.  


And, I was reminded about Genesis 22.  God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son on Mount Moriah.  


Would Abraham do it?  
Would he be faithful to God, even though this was an outlandish request?  Would he obey the one, and true God?  
Would he trust that the God of hosts would know what was best for him...what was best for his son?  
Would he cling to his son and reject God...or would he realize that God's unfailing love for him was more important than any of his own desires...his dreams for himself...his own pleasures? 

Well, Abraham obeys...he gets Isaac ready to be sacrificed...and God tells him to stop.  Abraham demonstrated his fear of the Lord by obeying.  And God provides.  God provides in that moment and then promises to provide for years and generations to come.

So, having a third child was not our plan.  But God provided this amazing baby girl. 

Day 1 

Day 3 

Day 4 

My fluid was fine all throughout the pregnancy, until 35 weeks...they were concerned...I was put on "limited activity" and told to come back in a few days for a non-stress test.  Baby Girl fell on the cord during the NST (twice, actually), she recovered, but my superstar OB, who is also chief of the OB department at Baptist, sent me over to the hospital for more tests.  At the last possible moment, baby girl didn't pass the contractions test.  They weren't sure if she was going to hold up under the stress of labor and contractions.  So, it was time to induce labor. 

I was 35 weeks, 6 days.  They said that she was small...but looked healthy.  We needed to induce now because if they sent me home and she fell on the cord again...she might not recover in the womb.  And, even though I had two previous successful inductions, I might need a C-section if pushing was too much for baby girl.  

I wasn't prepared to give birth that day.  I came to my appointment with a wallet , my keys, and a cell phone.  I didn't have a bag packed.  I only had one preemie outfit.  I didn't say a proper goodbye to my boys (I was only planning to be away from them for at most 90 minutes).  I hadn't gotten my pre-labor pedicure that a friend bought for me.  I hadn't eaten for a really long time.  I didn't have the picture of my dad that I've had at every labor.  I wasn't ready for this, Lord.  Please, God...I can't have a baby today.

Well, God provided.  

God provided a faithful, loving, and hard-working husband, who ran home, packed everything that I needed (including the picture of my dad and the boys).  God provided. "Mount Moriah" 

Eli...he is so happy...what a gift to be his wife.

God provided an OB, who is probably one of the most brilliant women I've ever known, who also just happens to be the Chief of the OB Department at the hospital in Nashville that delivers the most babies in the city.  The staff at that hospital respond to her in a way that I have never seen before.  She canceled her dinner party, and said, I'll be here to deliver your baby (Yes, I owe her one), and she just happened to be on vacation the following week...so if I wanted her to deliver baby girl...it had to be on Friday.  God provided.  "Mount Moriah" 

My OB.  She really is as fabulous as they come.  Love this woman! 

God provided my mom.  Wow.  All I'm gonna say is that I don't give her enough credit.  She made herself available when I was on "limited activity" by taking care of me and the boys while Eli was at work and now she was taking care of my angels while I was in labor.  They love being over there.  They were safe.  They were having fun.  God provided.  "Mount Moriah"

God provided a whole host of people who cooked, loved on me, let me vent, prayed with me while I was in labor through text messages...he provided my friends, for which I am eternally grateful. "Mount Moriah"

Moriah Grace was born...I pushed for about 8 minutes...I had the hardest time holding back tears.  She was tiny, but my breath was taken away by her beauty.  She was perfect.  Her APGAR score was good...her temperature was low...but she wouldn't have to go in the NICU.  God provided.  "Mount Moriah" 

E loves to pose with MG

Reese is still figuring her out.

We were discharged, but when we saw our pediatrician the next day, she sent us to the ER because they were worried about her body temperature and her jaundice.  I called Eli..."we need to go to Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital for Moriah Grace..."  I was calm.  I was clear.  Eli was shocked at my disposition.  He said, "You seem ok with this.  What are you thinking?"  

"She has never been mine, " I said.  "From before she was born, God had a plan for her that I did not have.  God has taken care of her and provided for her in a way that I never would have...I have to let go and trust." 

We just happen to live in a city with one of the best children's hospitals in the country.  And, my sister just happens to work there and knows every nurse/doctor/and social worker in the building (I know this because they all visited me while we were in the hospital.)  God will provide...Mount Moriah. 

I have no idea what color her eyes are...

But we think they will be brown like the boys.

I held it together while Eli went to check on the boys.  My pastor visited the hospital, I fell apart and cried.  I have had to surrender many things in my life to the Lord...everyday...but my child...her health...her life...really, God...I don't have any control over that?  

No, I don't.  God will provide.  He takes care of His children.  He hides them in the shadow of His wings.  My responsibility is to trust and obey a faithful, loving, sovereign God...

Giving her brothers a pound (7 days old)

Miss Moriah Grace is doing well.  She's a fighter, so she fits into our family quite nicely.  And now our family is complete.  She constantly reminds me in a way that I never imagined that God will provide.  This experience...this child...began revealing God's presence and provision to me before she was even born.  

3 weeks old

Take a deep breath, Carmen...know that God will provide.  "Mount Moriah"