Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby!

Gavin,

I can't believe it's been three years since you changed our world.  The past three years have been filled with fun, lots of adventures, and immeasurable joy.  We are so blessed to have you and can't even remember what life was like before you came.  Your boundless energy and contagious giggle fill our hearts with love.  I admittedly spoil you.  And I won't apologize for it.  You are my baby.  You always have to sleep with mama at night, along with your security blanket which you have named "B Bear."  I know that isn't popular, but I figure the day will come much too quickly when you will no longer want to sleep with me.  So I am going to enjoy these days now-having your warm little body snuggled up to me in bed.  Excuse me for a moment, while I make some "choc" (chocolate milk).  Ok, I'm back:-) 

You insist that you're still 2 and part of me would like that to be true.  I love the hugs and kisses you give me.  I love the way you call for me in the house when I leave your sight.  Sometimes I can barely take a shower or put on my make-up without your help.  But that's ok.  You love me and want to be everywhere I am.  One day that will all change.  So I want to enjoy these moments while you are still my sweet baby. 

You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Caillou, and watching tractor videos on YouTube.  You can work the ipad like a pro:-)  You love to sing "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothing But Good" in the car and you think your brothers hung the moon.  You love to put on their shoes and clothes.  You really want to be so big, but when I ask you say you're still a baby.  And that makes my heart smile. 

Happy Birthday Gavin!  I love you more than words could ever say. 

Mama

August 23, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gavin's 1st Birthday

 

 

Gavin's 2nd Birthday

 

 

 

My 3-year-old baby

 

Farewell to Summer

I can hardly believe my first official summer break since college is over.  It was a glorious 13 weeks. I saw 3 a.m. much too often.  I slept in and stayed in my PJ's more times than I can count.  I reveled in the knowledge that I had nothing to do and nowhere to be most days.  I started the summer with a list of projects and finished a few.  Some are still on my list and that's ok.  I will get to them eventually.  I enjoyed every moment (almost) with my boys.  I created a monster.  I have an almost 3-year-old who has become a major momma's boy.  And I must admit, I love that. 

This week is serving as a "prep" week if you will.  I've been to school working on my office and I have meetings tomorrow morning.  I felt a huge weight come over me tonight as I sat and came to the realization that all my luxurious free time is now a thing of the past.  Beginning Monday, it's back to reality.  School, homework, football practice, football games, crazy busy weekends when I try to pack a week's worth of house work in.  On top of all of this, I'm starting my Masters.  Yep, I'm just a little stressed thinking about it all.  I stood in my kitchen tonight and just felt completely overwhelmed.  I asked God to give me peace and He has.  I can only take each day as it comes, each moment as I enter it. 

I'm hoping to develop more routine in my house this fall.  My alarm is set for 5 am.  I'm determined to get that morning run and Bible study in.  I'm also determined to lead my boys in a Bible study/devotion each evening.  I admit, I'm probably the world's worst when it comes to consistency.  I know God is a God of order and I'm relying on Him to make these changes stick. 

So, I bid you farewell summer.  It won't be long and we'll see each other again.  Until them, I'll enjoy the crisp fall air.  I'll cheer my 7th grade Redskin and my 5th grade Colt on to victory.  I'll snuggle with my little man when it gets cold and sit with him in front of the fire.  We'll watch Christmas movies over and over and enjoy our days in the snow.  We'll celebrate birthdays.  We'll tackle Algebra and Pre-AP English (Lawd, help me!).  We'll play some basketball.  Maybe some baseball.  And before you know it summertime.....we'll be together again.   

A Vision Too Small

I was driving home tonight from our ladies' bible study at church and listened to a sermon in which the preacher was talking about the decay of our nation and its effects on the family.  Something he said in the midst of his sermon reached out and shook me.  He spoke about praying for his children.  And their children.  And their children.  And their children.  He spoke about our vision for our kids, for our families.  About how sometimes they just aren't big enough.  Many of us simply want our children to stay away from drugs, make good grades, go to college, become successful, etc.  My goodness, how we limit God!  How I limit God.   What if we prayed for our children to make a mighty difference in this country, this world even, for God?  What if we prayed this way for our families?  Paul tells us in the book of Ephesians that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can even ask or think.  Amazing.  I can't even fathom what God can do in my life and in my family if I don't place limits on Him.  I am praying specifically for a need in my family right now and God revealed to me tonight that His plan far exceeds mine.  I want to be faithful to pray.  I want to be faithful to believe that God can do marvelous things in the lives of my children.  I want to be faithful in believing that God can do phenomenal things in my marriage and in the life of my husband.  I don't want to put limits on a limitless God! 

Thrifty Love Gift Exchange

To be honest, I can't remember exactly where I came across the Thrifty Love Gift Exchange, but I thought it was a really neat idea from the moment I read about it.  Being new to the blogging world, I am amazed to see all the friendships that bloggers have formed across the miles.  It is so encouraging.  I thought this gift exchange would be a wonderful way to meet another blogger and hopefully form a lifelong friendship.  I signed up and anxiously waited for my match.  I was super excited when I got it and my match (Beth Ann @ www.bahlikeasheep.blogpot.com) and I exchanged information and on the hunt I went.  I live in a rural area so my thrifting is sometimes limited by distance/time.  And as all of you thrifters know, some days you're hot and some days you're not:-(   I felt like my hunt was a bust, but I did find some cute birdie S & P shakers and a prayer plate.  I didn't take photos before I sent (silly me).  I was really nervous that my gift exchange buddy wouldn't be impressed, but I sent my package off hoping she'd at least be touched by my sentiment, right??

I got my package in a few days later and my girl went above and beyond!  She got me these pretty books that have found a home in my kitchen and added a pop of color.  (Beth Ann, I didn't put them in the windowsill.  I placed them in a cabinet with a glass door and they look great!) 

Ok, so this is where she goes above & beyond.  She also threw in this super cute Forever 21 necklace.

But the best part, was the card.  Funny how things work.  I had worried that she wouldn't like my gift, that she would open it and be disappointed.  Her sweet card told me she was afraid of the very same thing!  So silly that we worry about such things.  I was excited to receive my gift and I love it.  Simply because it was picked out with me in mind.  And I am happy to say I've made a new friend.  This was a super fun experience!  I'm excited to see what everyone else got:-)  One more thing....here's the cute card she sent and ANOTHER BONUS:  A Starbucks gift card.  This girl is da bomb!!

 

I Then Shall Live

This has been a wild, emotionally charged, and politically divided week.  And quite frankly, I'm over the hoopla.  I've said my peace about the chicken controversy.  I was struggling with the words to express my thoughts on the underlying theme I saw emerge from all of this:  Christians sharing the love of Christ.  It seems the Body of Christ can't even agree on the "right" way to share the glorious message of Christ.  A song I dearly love came to my mind tonight and it's words are so powerful and if lived out, so capable of reaching the world with the love, compassion, mercy, and grace that Christ reached me with.


I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father; I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey.


I then shall live as one who's learned compassion. I've been so loved, that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I'll dare to see another's point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment, Then I'll be there to care and follow through.


Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor, And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may You feed a hungry world through me.


Amen, Amen, Amen.


If you're so moved by music as I am, please watch the Gaither Vocal Band/Ernie Haase Signature Sound performance of this song.  It is truly beautiful. 

http://youtu.be/cxyBMQJuTuc


This is my daily prayer.  I want to reach a hungry world with the Bread of Life.  I want to reach them right where they are.  After all, that is where Christ meets me every day.  Right where I am.  Not where I should be.  Not where I want to be.  Right where I am.  Some days find me full of compassion, empathy, love, and mercy.  Other days find me filled with resentment, questions, frustrations, and an ugly heart.  Life is messy.  But my merciful Father meets me in my mess.  And He wants to use me to meet the rest of the world in their mess.