Tis so feet

The pastor of my parent's church has 6 kids and one of their traditions is to pick out a beloved hymn for each of their children to make their own. I decided it was a good idea so we've done the same for ours. For Mary Jo we chose "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" which I heard the story behind the writing of the hymn a few weeks ago at a baby shower and am even more glad we picked it now. Look it up, it's worth reading.
For the longest time "Jesus Loves Me" was what I sang to Mary Jo when I rocked her at night, it seemed to be the only one she liked, but in the last few months she's started requesting different ones. She also loves "Holy Holy Holy" which I thought was just from BSF, but apparently when she was a baby my mother-in-law would sing that to her and it was the only song that would get her to sleep. So this is usually how our bedtime routine goes with our now very vocal, opinionated 2 year old-
First we read her book of choice, her favorites right now are "Bow-wow Peep", "Siwwy monkeys" and "Doodnight moon." After we read I turn out the light and ask her what we should sing. She answers "Jesus wuvs me," ...so I begin. Just a few words into the song and she's requesting the next song "Ho-wy Ho-wy....sewafim" (her attempt at saying seraphim) and if I don't stop the current song to begin the next one she just gets more and more adamant in her request. The other night I was belly laughing as I was singing, determined to finish the first song before I started the next while she kept chanting "Ho-wy! Ho-wy!"  My favorite is how she asks for her hymn, she says it all together and it sounds like "Tis so feet". I have always prayed for her at night but just in the last week or two I've had her pray first and she loves it, like the other ones I've just taught her to say "Thank you God" to begin with but she takes it very seriously, bowing her head and folding her hands. I love that sweet time with my sweet girl.  My prayer for her is that one day she will know, for herself, just how sweet it is to trust in Jesus. Here's my favorite recent picture.....

She's 2, snow, skiing, and sickness.

Well, it happened. My baby girl turned 2. And for the first time, I don't have a newborn or a pregnant belly ready to pop! I would have kept her at 1 forever but we don't get that choice. The good Lord put time in motion and I'm just trying to enjoy it while it passes. Sweet little peanut (weighing in at a whopping 21 pounds!) didn't quite know what to do with her party. 

Maybe it was because there were so many little boys!

She liked the cake and the presents.

Here are the girls! It was a sweet time with family and friends, who doesn't want to to celebrate a 2 year old's birthday on Valentine's? 

The next excitement was the long awaited snow. Here we are when the first snow/ice started....Eli getting a lick of the road. Yuck. 

When you're the 4th kid in the family you're lucky to get any of the right colors for your gender. She doesn't mind.  

The kids discovered powdered sugar (or "power sugar" as Eli likes to call it, probably more appropriately) on their pancakes last year and I finally put a stop to it by telling them they could have it only when it snowed. I was hoping they'd forget. They didn't. Mary Jo figured it out, too, and was dipping her finger in it just like the rest of them. Thankfully my kids burn off that energy pretty well, they are in near constant motion. Our latest favorite family activity is playing tag, in the house, thanks to Steven. It seems that nothing is more fun that being chased by your Daddy. We got a little too into it the other night, I was trying to tag Sadie and we both crashed to the floor, then Steven was running through the house and his ego rose to "super-hero status" as he attempted to scale the loveseat. He failed, but thankfully no serious injuries resulted, other than his pride.  

Another first this year was my parents and I got to take the big kids skiing! I love ski trips and have so many great memories from them. Somehow I let Eli fall off the lift (right at the beginning, he didn't get hurt thank the Lord) but other than that it was a great day, the kids picked it up quickly and were racing down "the swopes" by the end. On the way home they were saying that they wanted to snowboard next time. I was trying to tell them that it's harder, they would have to start all over with the learning, etc (I'm terrible at snowboarding, my brother is great). Finally Eli said "It just looks cooler, Mom." I had no comeback for that one - he's absolutely right. But since I'm not that cool in real life anyways, I'll just stick to skiing.  

Our little 2 year old now thinks it's funny to take her jammies off, so Steven remembered his brilliant plan he came up with for Sadie - put them on backwards. She can't outsmart us....yet! 

The other morning was a sweet, rare moment of quiet playing, everyone getting along, no T.V. I just sat and basked in the glory, praising myself for raising such sweet kids, deciding to put off school until the afternoon. MISTAKE! Mornings are just their best time....so the wiser thing to do is just bribe them with fun activities or food to motivate them to work quickly in the morning, then have these sweet moments after school is done. I'm learning, slowly but surely. 

This girl is growing up super fast - here's her sassy new haircut. The bangs were her idea and I have to admit I like them.

Mary Jo got sick the other day, running a fever and threw up once. She was so pitiful, she slept on my chest on and off for 5 hours or more, and did not want me to put her down. I actually pulled out the Bjorn around suppertime so I could hold her and fix supper but thankfully my sweet mother-in-law came over and put some pizzas in the oven for us. She finally started feeling better that evening, enough to play with her baby dolls a little. It warmed my heart to see her holding her dolls close to her, just like I had done with my baby all day. As I rocked her to sleep that night I thought of how sweet it is to be needed by your littles, and of how our Heavenly Father holds us. I know we don't tangibly crawl up on His chest and wrap our arms around His neck - yet He provides the comforts we need when we're going through trials, through His Word, His Spirit, His saints. What a blessing it was for me to love and comfort my sweet girl, to look in her sleepy eyes and tell her she would feel better soon. But how superior is the Father's love for us, he cares for us, knows our burdens, and will one day wipe away every tear. Praise the Lord and goodnight!

Funny conversations

If a comedian wants good material he need only have a few young children - I feel like I'm in a comedy show most every day. Mary Jo makes me laugh with just about everything she says these days - if someone's having a brownie or has been asked a question she will quickly answer. She walked around the house singing a lot today, at one point it was "All About That Bass" and later tonight it was "Holy, Holy, Holy." (she doesn't listen to pop music, by the way, just heard her Daddy singing that on occasion, and of course she picked it up!). When playing with her siblings she has quickly changed from being a doormat to screaming, "No, Mine!!" She's become a little pistol, but is still a sweetheart.

David is currently asleep in his bed in a tank top, shorts, and soccer socks pulled up above his knees. Soccer season starts in just under 2 months and he is SO ready! The other night we were talking about what he and Eli were going to be when they grew up - Eli decided on a police officer and David was torn between "A policeman, a bad guy, a firefighter, and a power ranger." We need to work on the "bad guy" aspirations, although recently he's been telling me "I'm going to listen to you tomorrow!" 

Eli is starting to read! It's been so exciting and I've used lots of praise and encouragement (if it took me as long as it took him at first to sound out words I might just give up and be illiterate). Early on he was sounding out the word "pal" and was slowing saying each letter sound - as I was struggling to stay patient - he said "papapa aaaa alalalal....eloise!" Not sure where it came from but it provided the much needed comic relief in the school room. My Mom gave me some old phonics books from when she taught Kindergarten a few years ago. The first one is called Mac and Tab, and Eli has gotten pretty comfortable with reading it. I tried to introduce book #2, The Tin Man, the other day and he really protested, he said he only wanted to read the first one forever. I laughed at the thought of him in college curled up with a very beat up copy of Mac and Tab. :)

Sadie is my work in progress, we are deep in character training. She is a pendulum, having very sweet moments then some very challenging ones. Sometimes I question my decision to take her out of school, worrying that I've created a monster, but I really think the Lord's given me this time with her, much needed time, to re-establish her boundaries, her authority, and nurture her in the admonition of the Lord, as the Scriptures teach us. The other night we were doing her devotion and it was about staying on the right track, but if we fall, we can always call to the Lord and He will put us back on the right track. I looked at her, smiled, and said "Was this devotion written just for you?" She answered with "I know! I really needed to hear that!" 7 going on 25.  Below is her precious little self, sick, from earlier this week. Thankful for my 4 little blessings and treasuring every conversation we get to have. Goodnight!

Davidism and a December Wrap-up

Steven and I decided to go to Myrtle Beach for a few days the week before Christmas - with Steven's busy schedule it was so nice to get away for a few days with just our little family - plus our kids absolutely LOVE Myrtle Beach. David put on his bathing suit for our walk on the beach - I didn't fight the battle. 

Eli snuck on a swim shirt under his jacket, too....

This little one had a blast just walking around and playing in the sand. 

Maybe the highlight of the trip was our visit to Medieval Times - Steven went when he was little and was just as excited as the kids to watch the knights fight, again. And Mary Jo got the special rose from our knight. David still talks about watching the knights, although none of ours actually got up on the table to cheer the knight on (like their Daddy did when he was young, apparently...) And ours was the first one out, so maybe we should have!

I got home from the beach and realized how ill-prepared I was for Christmas. Add that to a work shift and some illness and I just couldn't get it all in. But that's ok - hopefully our neighbors had enough sugary treats without ours in the mix (our neighbors rock the baking!). And I'm sure the elderly folks I had planned to visit appreciated our not coming with sick germs. 

These little people surely didn't care about things being just right, Santa (who they know is not real) visited, Mary Jo was quite enthralled (or scared?), and even happier when Papa took the costume off. Kids on Christmas morning is so fun.  

The big gift this year was a zipline - thankfully my Dad and brother were both there and the beautiful day allowed for easy installation and hours of enjoyment. I think this was Steven's only ride, however. :)

We had a fun, crazy Harrell Christmas the following day (with this many kids how can it not be fun?). So thankful for family.

After we had a few days to recover we went to Roanoke for "2nd Christmas" (New Years Eve to normal people). We let the kids go to the dollar store and buy presents for each other, wrap them, then open them the next morning, at their Great Grandma's house. Steven thinks that's all we should spend on them is 20 bucks, but the toys themselves don't last 20 minutes.

The next day we went bowling - here is Mary Jo with David's bowling shoes on. Steven's 85 year old grandma decided to join in, she's competitive, but Steven can't even let her beat him. It's in the genes.

Sadie has lost a couple more teeth, unfortunately she didn't get any new ones for Christmas. She does like the song, though. :)

Eli is finding new things to climb....I used to do this too as a kid. 

David and Mary Jo are (finally!) starting to bond. She can say his name very clearly and I think she's going to love having not 1, but 2 big brothers to take care of her.

We're out of holiday mode and back to normal life, which includes 2 sports for Eli. He's playing indoor soccer and Upwards basketball and loves them both. 

School is going well....some days. Other days we find new ways to make it work. I just ordered some different curriculum so I guess I'm not planning on quitting - even the bad days we learn some things. Sadie has started doing a kid's devotion book every night, with her Daddy if he's home, and I think it's really been good for her. I don't know why that surprised me - when I'm daily in the Word of God I tend to have more peace, joy, and kindness - as well. This parenting thing is not easy, I'm finding out for myself, but God so graciously reminded me that if we ask for wisdom He will give it. What a blessing to have His Word to live by.

As for this guy - he's still loving his "up pants", although the cold finally got to him (and I finally succeeded in hiding the summer clothes) so now he's obsessed with pajamas. I'm not sure why, I think it has something to do with superheros. He passed a little gas today while he was talking to me about Spiderman (we have endless conversations about these things, one night last week we were talking about the Grinch being real at 4am), and he quickly said "Sometime Superheros have toots, especially if they're Davids". He's a mess, but I couldn't imagine life without him! Goodnight!

Sweet little sinners

I just got this picture back this week from an "Antiquities" photo shoot, a fund-raiser we did for MOPS. This free 10x13 was worth the $10 and thankfully the individual pictures weren't as good so I could turn down the expensive packages pretty easily. Eli shares his Dad's dislike of taking pictures, but even his gloomy face is cute in this. It's funny because he actually is a very happy kid, smiles all the time, we just can't capture it too well in pictures. He really is sweet, and just easy, maybe it's just compared to #1 and #3 that usually like to be difficult (the jury is still out on #4). I was putting the boys to bed the other night and I had prayed and sang with David first. He was not being quiet while I was with Eli so I threatened to discipline him if he talked while we were praying. I prayed first and noticed Eli prayed the quickest prayer he's ever done - and  then I realized he was doing that so David wouldn't get in trouble. He's not always winning the big brother award, though, after a scuffle the other day Eli was crying and saying he didn't want David to be his brother anymore. I asked him if he was always nice to David. He said "Yes, except maybe on Fridays." Even my sweet one has a little sinner's heart. It was quite obvious the other day when we were visiting my Mom. I wanted to take them shopping to get some things for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes - I let each one pack a box for a kid their age and gender. We watched a few videos so they would understand and hopefully be moved with compassion for those less fortunate. I personally can not watch those videos without crying. I looked at the kids and said, "Ok, who's ready to go? Remember we are not buying anything for ourselves on this trip, it's just for the shoeboxes," Eli looked up and said "But can I get just one thing for me?" FAIL! I got frustrated with his little self-centered heart, but then realized we are probably all that selfish, at least at times, we just learn as adults not to let people see it. As Scripture says in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and deperately wicked, who can know it?" I've heard teaching recently that the common, popular advice to "follow your heart" is really terrible advice - if we followed our hearts we'd end up in trouble most every time. Thankfully we can follow the Lord, through His Word, and with the help of His Spirit. Hopefully I'm beginning to learn that for myself so I can teach it to my kids. Goodnight!  

Indian Summer Days

Forgive me, that was not exactly a "politically correct" title but it just worked. I have loved these warm days we've had recently - it gave me a chance to enjoy my tan from Jamaica a little longer (shallow, I know). Eli completed his third season of soccer, Sadie didn't play this Fall since she's trying out clogging this year. She might have to go back to soccer....but it's early so I'll give her some more time to improve on the dancing. Eli is definitely improving on the soccer field - which isn't saying a whole lot since he was pretty puny the last 2 seasons. I just want an A for effort, which he got this time, and a few goals. He had fun, too, and is seeming to learn a little about the teamwork concept ("what, there's other kids out there?"). Last night I watched (and cried - if you have a beating heard you would have, too) an ESPN special about a high school kid with Cerbral Palsy who wrestled four years with only 1 win, but it made me realize the character building that sports can accomplish - which is not related to winning...AT ALL. I would be much prouder of Eli if he were that kid's teammate - carrying him off the bus and cheering him on, than if he became some great soccer player with a college scholarship. 

It's so hard to get everyone to smile at once - even while sharing a sugary drink. One thing I will NOT miss about soccer season is the endless pleas for slushies....mainly from Steven. He bought the "souvenir" cup from a couple different trucks and he and the kids ate a ridiculous amount of sugar last Saturday, between the soccer game and a local Fall Festival. 

I love this girl - I'm so thankful that I get to keep her home this year. Even though her strong personality and "leadership potential" (a nice way to say bossy) are challenging at times, I feel closer to her than I did the past couple of years.  

She at times seems closer to Eli, too, even though they have their fair share of fighting. I think they've figured out that life will just be a lot better if they can be allies. 

They had the prettiest horses from a local farm, one that mainly does therapy work for special needs people. It was a no-brainer to pay for a few rides.

This little guy is making me tired. He's so sweet, and funny, and full of life, but man is he difficult. If I say the sky is blue he swears it's green. Every day he doesn't like what I pick out for him to wear (he has these "up pants", aka shorts, that he is obsessed with - I think I'm going to have to literally hide them away until Spring so we don't fight the battle every day). I think we need to re-institute the nap. 

 Eli has really surprised me with his school attitude. I really thought he would be my challenge - but after teaching him how to hold a pencil and crayon he can't stop coloring, and often asks me to start school. It helps that his work is mostly fun - but if I can convince him early that learning IS fun and keep it that way then we all win!

The Sunday after we got back from Jamaica we were hanging out with some friends after church at Wendy's. Mary Jo had a scary little episode that we think was a seizure - and it made me realize she had done something very similar several months ago. I was taking Sadie to the doctor for a well check the following day, anyways, so I added Mary Jo on. He wanted her to have an EEG and see a neurologist. We had the EEG done this morning - she was enjoying having Mommy and Daddy to herself until she had to get 22 leads glued to her head. None of my children will just relax in my arms and fall asleep very easily, especially in that situation, so I hope they got what they needed for the study. We meet with the neurologist Monday - and I'm preparing myself for a "wait and see" diagnosis - in other words he probably can't diagnose it as seizures and we'll just have to watch her to see if she does it again.  

This was after the EEG this morning waiting outside the hospital for our car - she had recovered and was her usual spunky self. She's not giving us any other reasons to be concerned - she's trying to talk in sentences and repeats everything we say. Whenever I read a book or Steven picks her up to dance with her she quickly says "gain" (again) so we'll keep on going. As we head to put her to bed at night she always says "sing...ah ah me" (sing, Jesus loves me). She clearly says Sadie and Eli, her two favorite siblings. David still has some winning over to do after his abuse in the first year, although they've started playing together some lately. Whatever is going on in her little brain I know that she's in the Lord's hands and I trust Him, He knows how precious she is to us - she's His child, first. I'm thankful to the One that made us, sustains us, and gives us peace when we are tempted to worry. Jesus said in John 16.33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."   

Jamaican me Crazy!

Steven and I were married for 10 years in March and decided to take a big anniversary trip - I put it off until September so I didn't have to rush weaning Mary Jo, plus I wanted to be sure she was sleeping through the night before I left our Moms to deal with that for a week. I felt like I prepared for the trip the entire month - I did lesson plans in advance, made freezer meals, pulled out the kid's winter clothes. Sometimes vacations with little children (even when they don't travel with you!) feel like they're more trouble than their worth - but this one was NOT! We're kinda boring, I guess, because after looking online at some other all-inclusive resorts we just decided to go back to the same resort we went to on our honeymoon - which is still absolutely wonderful. The resort had grown about twice as big as it was when we went 10 years ago but still had the same open, peaceful feel. Here is a picture of the outside of our unit, there are several of these with about 12 rooms a piece. 

 Here is the inside of the room - I love the open windows and private balcony - and maybe the maid service more than anything else. Something I don't think I cared about as much 10 years ago - but someone making up my bed and tidying up my room not once, but TWICE a day? That's paradise!  

Neither one of us are very good at selfies - this is the best Steven could do. It was sad to leave the kids and I had some dear friends praying for me to keep my anxieties at bay, but we quickly remembered how to enjoy each other's company again without the many distractions of every day life. For the first time in 13 years (since he started working) Steven actually turned his phone off. He didn't get an email, text, or voicemail for almost a week! He and his phone really needed that space. And I enjoyed his attention immensely!  

 I really am such a foodie - I got excited about every meal. I worked hard to get my weight down for this trip then went and ate whatever I wanted for 6 days - thankfully the scale was more merciful than I was expecting when we got back. The food was absolutely delicious - I don't think I felt hungry the whole time we were there (we just ate the next meal because it was time to :)).  I counted up the number of meals I normally prepare, serve, and clean up in a typical day at home and was so thankful for the break. This is a picture of dessert one night.... cheesecake I think? It was just such a pretty arrangement!

Ten years ago we were there in April - I of course had been tanning some so I wouldn't be pasty white at our wedding, Steven had not. So, of course,.he got an awful sunburn on that trip and had to go to bed early one night with sun poisoning. I guess I was being nostalgic but I was a little skimpy with the sunscreen for myself the first couple of days on this trip and I got pretty pink on my back - add that to a jellyfish sting and I was miserable for a few hours. One thing they still have at the resort is a lot of activities available at no extra charge, one of them being a Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Steven remembers wearing this same shirt on the same excursion 10 years ago. What a cutie I married. 

This was our view - it really must be one of the most beautiful beaches in this world. I couldn't help but marvel at the awesome power of our Lord, the colors he gave us and the amazing views, it's hard to capture in pictures. 

This was my favorite place to be. With a book, of course. Then when it gets hot you can take the white squishy seat off and float on it in the ocean or pool. It's just perfect. 

We met some nice people, enjoyed playing raquetball (I'm terrible), ate way too much, talked about how much has happened in our lives in the past 10 years. We are so thankful for the blessing of marriage - that God saw fit to bring us together all those years ago. I think we're more in love than we were 10 years ago (sorry to get mushy).   

I can't possibly post without talking about the kids - they did great and were well taken care of by their grandparents (all 4 had a part, and Aunt Leslie! It takes a village with this crew). If not for family I couldn't have left them, so thanks especially to our Moms! We were able to Facetime with the kids a few times which was great to get to see them, and they see us and where we were. The little 2 did not understand, I know, and David has been a little unhappy with me since we got back. I tried to show him some pictures today and he just threw the phone down. Hopefully they'll understand one day that a marriage needs time, too. And he wouldn't be here without ours! I'm getting back in the groove of everyday life - missing the maid and the food from Jamaica. The maid and cook here is just not very good. :)

Goodnight!