Dear February

Dear February,

It seems like only yesterday January arrived with it's dawn of a new year and then you graced us with your presence. Each year as the busyness of the Christmas season passes I long to savor the cozy cold winter months.  I wish for lots of snowflakes, good books to curl up with under piles of blankets, pots of wholesome soup bubbling on the stove and sweet quiet moments with my little family.  You didn't disappoint, February, and I thank you!  We savored your sparkly Valentine's Day treats and bright red hearts praying our way through our Love Jar reflecting on the many special people in our lives.  We are blessed!  Your simple moments: Super Bowl fun, Downtown KC adventures, snowmen, days filled with books, board games and puzzles galore, a handful of sunshiny days filled with outdoor play, first words sounded out and read and lots of birthday fun.  These are all sweet memories, I'll tuck away for keeps.  You probably know by now that you hold a special place in my heart. I will always be grateful for my little boy that arrived this month three years ago.  He makes your visit full of fun and ends your time with us perfectly.  I'm hearing the silence of the end of your visit on Friday morning and I'm pondering the goodness of God and the grace that covered us with each day.  Thanks for being oh so wonderful!

Til me meet again,
Alicia

 

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow

February is ending with a bang.  In less than a week's time, our area has been hit with two major snow storms.  Therefore, we've dug our driveway and decks out multiple times, indulged in yummy warm soups, built snowmen,  enjoyed the time with Daddy working from home for multiple days, and relished the long winter days and nights together.

After we dug ourselves out I ran into the house to warm up for a bit and loved watching the Daddy/Son moments unfold from my windows.  Memories in the making!

Husband Love-Kevin built a mini snowman just for me in our tree.

He Loves Me

Little ones have such a precious way of loving.

My son is no exception.

He doesn't always say "I love you".  But, I know he loves me and I don't question it.  I know it with everything in me.

Because he melts into my arms when I rock him. Because he stares into my eyes with a look of trust. Because he comes to me first when he is scared or hurt, happy or excited. Because he puts his tiny hand on my shoulder and pats my back. Because he grabs my face and smooches my cheek. Because he checks to make sure I'm watching him when he's showing off  or trying something new. Because he saves his best and his worst moments for me.

He loves me.

The other day at lunch, he whispered something to me as I took a sip of water. I had to ask him to repeat himself in a louder voice and when he did, he smiled and said "I love you, Mama."

I knew this to be true, but there was something so very special about him saying those 4 little words to me out of the blue.

All too often, too much emphasis is put on words. Little ones teach us and remind us that sometimes words aren't necessary....that sometimes actions really do speak louder.

And yet sometimes, words are good. They are welcomed and celebrated.

They are a gift.

I love you, too, my sweet boy.

Leaving Two Behind

My Titus Andrew,

Today you turned three.  I told you not to, but you didn't listen.  ;)

You might be on the small size compared to others your age (26 lbs and 36 inches tall), but you have a giant sized portion of heart and determination and an amazing mind.  You are 100% committed to whatever you do and I LOVE that about you.

You put your heart into everything whether it's reading books, playing hard, singing, or helping Mommy or Daddy around the house. Sometimes you use that power for good and other times stubbornness wins.  I pray that you never lose that incredible will power to always do your best and give everything 100% effort, just like you do now.

God has such a big plan for your life and He has given you some amazing tools that your Daddy and I already see in you.  We feel such an awesome responsibility to help mold you into the man He wants you to be.

My prayer for you is that your insatiable drive will be directed first toward God and then through Him, toward the journey He has prepared for you.  I think of Paul the Apostle who before he knew Christ, was driven to to pursue and imprison anyone who followed Jesus.  However, once his eyes were opened to The Truth, his same drive was firmly applied to helping others find their way back to God.  May your God-given tenacious drive and conviction be with you always!

Never in my life have I seen such an inquisitive kid and I love, love, love that about you.  I wish I could crawl inside your sponge-like brain and watch as it processes what you experience.  You have a thirst for learning and knowledge.

 

My prayer for you, is that as you grow, your inquisitive mind will dig deep into the wisdom of God because "His foolishness is wiser than human wisdom".  And that your heart will be firmly placed in the trust of Jesus Christ.  I know God has big plans for you Mister Man.  He has protected your life on several occasions.  Your story was a thrilling one even before you were born!
We are humbled and blessed daily that we were chosen to have the best seats to watch you grow, learn, play and serve.

Three is going to be a great year!  So lets celebrate and leave two in the dust.

We love you to Taiwan and back!

20 Questions

A couple of years ago, I saw an idea for asking the same 20 questions each birthday starting at the age of 3 on Pinterest.  I love this idea and can't wait to look back and see how Titus' answers change and evolve over the years.

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? My cars and trucks
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples
4. What is your favorite TV show? Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Soup
6. What is your favorite outfit? Crane Sweatshirt
7. What is your favorite game? Don't Spill the Beans
8. What is your favorite snack? Crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe 
10. What is your favorite song? "Jesus Love Me"
11. What is your favorite book?  "Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site"
12. Who is one of your favorite friend? Naomi
13. What is your favorite drink? Orange Juice
14. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
15. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Animals: Digger, Mister Bear, Cousin Bear, Mickey Mouse.  My blankets (3)
16. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Legos
17. What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?  Music
18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Train cake
19. What do you want to be when you grow up? Work on computers like Daddy
20.  What is your favorite Bible verse?  Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

Happy Snow Day

Since it snowed and snowed yesterday we had promised Titus a day of snow fun today. He held us to our promise and Mama was more than happy to oblige.  All in all, we had 12 inches of pure, delightful, beautiful, marshmallow snow.   Most of the areas in our yard were up to Titus' waist and my knees but we found a few areas that were only up to Titus knees and he could sort of walk in it.  He played outside on Friday for 2.5 hours while Daddy and I experienced home ownership at it's fullest by digging out our driveway and decks.  On Saturday we played outside for over hour.  Our little boy is loving this winter snow.  Since more snow is on the way, I'm sure we'll have more snow fun very soon! 

BIG Blizzard of Oz

We finally got SNOW!!!!  I love looking out on my wintery white picturesque backyard.  It's absolutely breathtaking.   12 inches of beautiful white powdery snow. 

Today we stayed inside and enjoyed watching the snow fall, read lots of books and baked cookies while Daddy worked from home.  So thankful we were all able to stay inside and not risk life and limb getting out in the this B.I.G. blizzard of Oz!   Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some fun snow play pictures. 

Hair Drama

In Titus' short little life he has had many haircuts which have resulted in a wide gambit of styles from good to bad, and everywhere in between.  Poor kid!  :(  Since moving, a friend highly recommend a great kid's place close by, so we went and checked it out.  Titus loved sitting in the firetruck and getting his hair cut until the clippers made an appearance....sorry, no pictures to protect the innocent dramatic.  All that to say, we finally received a great cut.  :)

Just One More

Our day's schedule was off a bit, by running errands before the potential snow storm struck our area.  Therefore, lunch and nap time were delayed, but as every parent of a toddler knows even 30 minutes can be enough.

Titus has begun to come up with every reason under the sun to delay nap/quiet time as it is, from going to the bathroom again, to another drink of water, to singing Jesus Love Me "just one more time" or needing to give me "just one more hug and kiss".

I've learned the final hug and kiss though, that ones proves to me much more difficult.  If I let him get "just one more", it turns into a string of a half a dozen requests to give "the last one, okay Mama?" It's such a hard request for me to deny though, I mean honestly to hear my 2 year old practically begging to give me "just one more" hug and kiss....I'm stubborn, but I can't completely ignore these sweet requests.

Today though, I did.  On his second request, I shot him down.

No.

No.

Absolutely no.

Yes, I denied my sweet 2 year old any additional hugs or kisses.

It's a matter of obeying right away.  He knows and understands what no means.  He didn't break down into a fit of hysterics by any means.  He expressed his disappoint and moved on.  I hit the play button on The Little House story CD and tiptoed out of his room offering one more, "I love you", as I quietly closed the door. Soon enough, he was asleep.  I worked on my nap time tasks: dishes, laundry and dinner prep.  Before long my tasks were completed and I readied myself for some personal me time.  My heart stopped as I read about a family whose little boy died at the young age of 5 due to a strange illness.

Just like that.  A life truncated.

My heart broke for this family.  I offered up prayers of peace for this family.  But, my flood of thoughts could not be stopped.  I was overwhelmed with anguish for this family.  Those sweet little hugs and kisses and sticky messes and toys on the floor are a thing of the past for them.

Motherhood has changed me so much, but I can guard my heart very effectively.  I was overwhelmed.  And like a ton of bricks it hit me that I had denied Titus a final hug and kiss.

I was soon descending the stairs with tears in my eyes, the only thing I wanted was my little boy, in my arms.  He continued to sleep as I drew him up out of his crib and carried him to the rocking chair.

I didn't feel guilty for parenting as I saw fit earlier.  I know there isn't anything wrong with my saying no.  I wasn't trying to right a wrong.

I just needed to draw my arms around my little mister man, feel his shallow sleeping breaths continue in rhythm and love on him and memorize the details of his tiny face for a mother who wasn't able.

Dear Monday

Dear Clutter,
I'm on a mission and my name is Ruthless.  If you aren't loved, needed or used often you are out of here.  Don't believe me?  Check the piles ready to be loaded into the back of my minivan.
Be afraid,
Hoarder no more

Dear Warm Winter Clothes,
How I love you big worn out old comfortable sweatshirt, you rank right up there with my cozy slippers and heating pad on my winter love list.
Love you to town and back,
Always chilled

Dear Laundry,
You are my nemesis.  The thorn in my side.  You never quit so I'll keep on keeping on.
Unfortunately yours,
Me

Dear Naptime,
Why are you trying to flee our home?  Oh how I miss your schedule, you and your 2-3 hours of complete peace and quiet.  You've been trying to leave us for months now.  I know once you finally flee you will rarely come back to visit.  Rest time doesn't hold a candle to you naptime.
Miss you forever and ever,
Mama needs a break

Dear Year of the Snake,
I think you're going to be some kind of wonderful.
Lets make it a good one,
Me