Now I know my ABC's...

Living Nativity

Growing up my family always attended a drive-in style living nativity, complete with live animals and people.  It was a special family tradition for the Christmas season and something I have missed over the years.  So, in October when I heard that a church in our area was planing a live walking nativity I quickly signed our little family up for tickets.

Our walking journey began first in the Old Testament visiting various characters who foretold of Christ's birth or were a part of His lineage.  We heard from several prominent Biblical characters: Moses, King David, Isaiah, and Micah.

Isaiah foretelling of Christ's coming

 We then heard the Christmas story from the Angel’s pronouncement to Mary, Christ's birth, and the glorious song of the angels proclaiming the good news to the shepherds.

What we appreciated the most, is this presentation didn't end at the cradle but continued the story to the cross and finally to the empty grave.  Demonstrating the unspeakable love of God for mankind.  Jesus' coming is significant; the storyline of the entire Bible revolves around it.  Thank you, Father for your special redemptive plan for us! 

Bold

I push the squeaky shopping cart up and down the aisles of the store as my little boy who is buckled in keeps begging me to pray.  

"Pray, Mama! Pray, Mama!"

His begging must be heard at least an aisle over.  I'm not sure why or what he wants me to pray for.  But, he continues to beg me to pray.

"Jesus!" 

People turn to look as they reach for a package of napkins or pull a box of Christmas lights from the shelf. Some stare and others smile our way.

"Pray?"

I look down at my little boy and wish a thousand wishes in this moment that he would always cling to the Truth of Jesus. I pray that he would forever share his faith so willingly, so boldly, so freely.....even if it's scary or hard or not the popular thing to do.  I finally gave into my little boy's request and we quietly bowed our heads at the end of the aisle out of the way and prayed to our Heavenly Father.

"Amen"

A tear spills over, too, because I'm a bit of a crier when it comes to my little boy and Jesus. 

Lord, make me bold like my toddler.  

  

Making Merry

We've been busy decking the halls, donning our gay apparel, and flat-out making merry.  And let's not forget the Christmas carols resonating throughout our home.  I love the Christmas season!

Last night, I rocked Titus while singing "Silent Night."  I could barely get through it for the tears and the emotion.  There is something so tremendously and beautifully gripping to a mother holding her baby and imagining what it must have been like for Mary holding baby Jesus.  Not only did she have the joy of adoring her precious son, she was adoring the Messiah.  "Jesus, Lord at Thy birth...."  Amen!

Our Christmas books are all placed in the basket waiting to be read and enjoyed again and again throughout the season.  I can't wait to share some of these beloved stories with Titus.

Christmas Joy

I love this snapshot of Titus!

Capturing him laughing and smiling is rare; he is such a serious little boy.

Thanksgiving Rewind

Thanksgiving Snapshots

We have so much to be thankful for:

Family to celebrate with

God's creation

Where's Elijah?

Brotherly competition and games

Fun memories

 

 Relationships that bloom and grow over the years

Quality time with Daddies who are off work for a few days

Delicious food and all the blessings God has given us to share

"Gratitude should be an every-moment, 

every-hour, every-day, lifetime event. 

Will we ever run out of things to be thankful for?  

Not a chance..."

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

The Bench

There is a bench in a park that overlooks the water.

To most people that sit on it or pass by it,
it's probably just a regular old bench.

But, to me it's something so much more.

 It's a place where I used to go to sometimes after a long day.

Longing just to hold a baby that was my very own.

It's a place where I would sit and quietly cry as my heart ached.

It's a place where I asked my God to bless Kevin and me with a baby.

As I would sit on this ordinary park bench and stare out at the water,
I would be filled with peace.

A calmness that only He could give.   

I would leave this place with a renewed hope
in the One who loved me and had a perfect plan.

God had a plan; a perfect plan.

But, it wasn't His perfect time to reveal those plans.

He chose to keep those special plans to Himself
while he prepared us for them.

 Today, as I cuddled and talked to my toddler,

in the coolness of the autumn day, 

the one whom I had prayed for hundreds of times on that bench,

the emotions of the past came flooding back.

 

As Titus' dark black eyes stared into mine,
I told him why this place was special.

It's a place that proves God's love and answer to prayers.

It's a sweet, sweet view indeed!

Sneaking in a snooze

Over the years, I've heard of and seen a handful of children fall asleep at the table.  However, I never dreamed that Titus would do so.  He is truly a foodie at heart and loves and lives for meal times.  Saturday afternoon Titus refused to take a nap, and decided to play in his crib until nap time was over.  Since we usually attend church on Saturday night I was a little concerned how the night would play out.  But, our little guy decided to sneak in a snooze at the table while he was chewing his food.  Titus' snooze created quite the entertainment for our dinner.

And he's...out!

Sick Days

For three weeks straight,  it seemed that Titus and I had something scheduled almost everyday.  Yuck!  I'm a SAHM and truth be told, I like being at home and should be at home taking care of my little family.   A few days into our rat race, I felt myself praying for peace, quiet, and rest.

Well, God answered my prayers with a sick little boy and a sick mama to boot.   Not exactly the way I would have liked to have been forced to stay-at-home, but sometimes He must take measures into His hands.  I knew my week's plans would quickly be changing when my active, never stops moving, little boy just wanted to cuddle, not move, and definitely not be put down.

Finally, I too just gave myself the permission to sit on the couch with my sick little boy and not feel guilty for napping when he does.  It happens.  Mamas need naps too!

Sometimes in life we have to give ourselves time.  Time to figure out what it is that God's working on inside of us, what our hearts are feeling and our minds are thinking.  Sometimes we just need a break.

So that's where I've been and what I've been doing.

Christmas Shoeboxes

In past years, Kevin and I have enjoyed filling a shoebox with goodies for a child somewhere in the world.  This year we were excited to share and enjoy this Christmas tradition with Titus.  One of our many prayers is that he will have a big heart for people.

So, we picked up our boxes, and strolled down the aisles of a store carefully choosing items for a little boy and a little girl a bit older than Titus, who live somewhere across the globe.

Titus would examine each toy or object and then say, "Friend!".

"Yes, a gift for your new friend." we would reply each time.  And I smiled because I realized a giving heart can grow so early...even before little ones can truly grasp the concept.

After we finished our shopping we hurried home and spread the goodies in front of us.

We wrote a little note in a card with  snowflakes on the front and included our photo too.
As we packed the goodies for Titus' new friends in those little shoeboxes, I dreamed about the simple joy each item would hopefully bring to a little girl and boy.  I also reflected on the short and simple verse in Acts 20 that says, "It's more blessed to give than to receive."

Oh so true!

And I pray that my heart, and my husband's heart and our small son's heart will always carry that.

With the shoebox lid closed tightly, we prayed for our two little friends, one boy and one girl, across the globe.

Let's Go Bouncing

It's amazing how 90 min of bouncing, climbing, sliding, jumping, and running can wear out 3 small children and 3 adults.   Thanks Aunt Kate, Elle, and Zane for inviting us to come bounce and play with you, we had a great time!

I Spy With My Little Eyes

Titus has been rubbing his forehead just above his eyes for quite awhile now.  So, the next logical step was to schedule an eye exam.  All the way, to the eye doctor's office we talked about how Dr. Z was going to look at Titus' eyes and how he would need to cooperate and follow directions.  We arrived at the office, filled out paperwork, and were quickly taken to an exam room.

Titus was a pro!   He quickly sat up in the exam chair like a big boy and let the doctor play games with him and exam his eyes.  He was exuberant to tell and show Dr. Z where his eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, knees, elbows, and toes were.   I guess he thought they all needed to be checked out.  He even cooperated without complaint when it came to administering dilating drops and having pictures of his eyes taken.

All in all, we were given a great report.  Titus has a slight astigmatism, which is a normal development in babies and he is within the normal range.  We are going to schedule another appointment in about 6 months when Titus is able to recognize more colors, shapes and objects to receive a comprehensive exam.

While we aren't still aren't sure what is causing the headaches and will look into other options, this Mama, is thrilled that her tiny tot will not sporting glasses for a while (or maybe never) longer!

Bedtime

There's something about his bedtime.  I love this time; a time when we all know the day is done.  

It's {more often than not} the same every time. 

I change his diaper, lotion him down, put him in his snuggly pajamas, and administer his vitamins.

Then pass him off to Daddy who is waiting in the rocking chair for this special end of the day time with his son.  It's a precious and quiet time; a time that we read the Bible together.

As soon as Bible time is done he quickly folds his little hands and bows his head.  He knows we are talking to Jesus. 

Immediately after prayer, Titus leaps from Daddy's lap into my waiting arms on the floor.  We kiss and hug and I tell him that I love him all the way to Taiwan and back-and that's a long, long way.  His eyes meet mine and in this still, hushed moment I feel like my heart might burst.  Because I know he feels loved.  And he loves back so fiercely.

I then place my sleepy boy into the waiting arms of his daddy.  I turn off his lamp and whisper one more good night and I love you.

Oftentimes, just before I close the door, I glance back and watch a boy and his daddy-cuddling and rocking.  I never want to forget these nights!

Living in the moment

A couple of nights ago at church I found out that a friend is joining the ranks of those who bravely and proudly bear the title SAHM (stay at home mom).  I'm thrilled for her.  I know she and her husband have made many sacrifices for her to make this transition home to raise their precious daughter and baby on the way.   I loved watching her face beam with delight and hearing the anticipation and excitement in her voice, no doubt dreaming of all the exciting adventures of mommy and me time ahead.

This morning as I began my morning trek, I kept thinking back to the conversation I had with my friend; what a sweet reminder of dreams coming true and blessings abounding.  As I walked I began praying and evaluating my role as a SAHM.  By nature, I am a task oriented person.  I love to-do lists. I thrive being able to check something off.   I began to wonder...do my lists override me sometimes living and being in the moment with my toddler?  As Titus and I  neared the park, I couldn't help but take in the beauty of autumn:  the colors, the crisp cool air, and the peaceful anticipation of a day just beginning.  As the wind blew and leaves tumbled to the ground, I found myself looking up and admiring the beautiful canopy of trees over the path.  I even stopped a few times to take in the sweet beauty of the sun shinning through the leaves. Gorgeous!  Had it not been for the colors of the season, the light shinning through the leaves, and the sweet reminder of a friend's dream come true, I probably would have just kept walking to cross another task off my to-do list.  But, not today!

 Far too often my days become ordinary.  I lose the excitement, anticipation, blessing and vision Kevin and I share of me staying at home with our child(ren).  However, in that moment,  I quickly pulled the stroller off the path and decided to take in the moment and put aside my to do list.  The list of daily tasks waiting to be checked off could wait.  This moment with my toddler could not.

Ahhhh....leaf love!  We ran. We threw.  We piled high.  We jumped.  We watched leaves dance and twirl to the ground. We experienced pure joy.

  Thank you, Father for the precious reminder of true blessings, 

of living in the moments,

and looking beyond the ordinary!

Unsent Letter

Dear Mr. Garbage Truck Driver,

I am writing to say thank you for the 10 minutes you buy me every Tuesday between 8:15 and 9:00 am. If you look closely, you'll see an adorable little boy- not quite two and half feet tall, fascinated by the mechanical arm on your garbage truck. 

He listens intently for you.  

 He watches in wonder as you pull up in front of our home with your engine revving and pistons pumping. He stares in awe as you and your truck lift all four trash dumpsters into your big truck.

And this, Mr. Garbage Man, is why I like you so.

For 10ish minutes every Tuesday, 
my busy bee, 

my tornado of activity, 

my dumper of all things dumpable...

He stays in one place. 

Suddenly, the dishwasher gets unloaded without toy cars flying and blocks banging.  The bed gets made and the breakfast mess gets cleaned up.  Before you know it, this mama has her morning chores done and can sit on the floor next to her little man soaking up the moment...you know, the moment where the biggest thing in his world is how cool your truck is.  It's the moment where this mama remembers "people over projects" and thinks about how next week when you come, maybe little mister man and I will just stand and watch your truck together! 

 Until next week-same time, same place,

Your biggest fan's happy mama

Staycations are for:

Discovering tunnels at the park

Enjoying the outdoors and the colors of the season

Playing in the autumn leaves

Learning and mastering the game of golf

Becoming a skilled fisherman

But most of all spending lots of quality time together 

and creating lasting memories.